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Citation/References: |
Last name, F.M. Date of image. Title of image. Wildlife Services Image Collection. ID No. xx-xxxx. USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center Archives. Image URL if citing online version |
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Description: |
In late 2020, NWRC's Rodents Project teamed up with WS-Hawaii and the U.S. Army to conduct a large-scale aerial application of rodenticide to protect the Oahu Elepaio, an endangered bird that is endemic to Oahu Island. Invasive rats are one of the biggest threats to the survival and reproduction of this bird species. Building on several previous studies, this collaborative effort aimed to use low bait application rates to provide bird protection during the 6-month nesting season by reducing the invasive rat population. In November 2020, diphacinone bait was applied to the 430 hectare (ha) forest by helicopter at half the allowable bait rate (6.9 kg/ha). A previous collaboration by the NWRC and U.S. Army demonstrated 10 months of adequate protection and low environmental risk when the 12.8 kg/ha maximum application rate was used. NWRC researchers are leading the monitoring efforts which include efficacy testing of the bait applications and determining the associated risks to non-target species and the environment (i.e., stream water and soil). If successful, this reduced aerial rodenticide application rate will likely be used by U.S. Army and other stakeholders as a more efficient operational tool for rodent control across large landscapes, including steep and human-restricted military sites |