Taste aversion training can educate free-ranging crocodiles against toxic invaders.
Proc Biol Sci
; 291(2028): 20232507, 2024 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39137886
ABSTRACT
Apex predators play critical ecological roles, making their conservation a high priority. In tropical Australia, some populations of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) have plummeted by greater than 70% due to lethal ingestion of toxic invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). Laboratory-based research has identified conditioned taste aversion (CTA) as a way to discourage consumption of toads. To translate those ideas into landscape-scale management, we deployed 2395 baits (toad carcasses with toxin removed and containing a nausea-inducing chemical) across four gorge systems in north-western Australia and monitored bait uptake with remote cameras. Crocodile abundance was quantified with surveys. Free-ranging crocodiles rapidly learned to avoid toad baits but continued to consume control (chicken) baits. Toad invasion at our sites was followed by high rates of crocodile mortality (especially for small individuals) at a control site but not at nearby treatment sites. In areas with high connectivity to other waterbodies, repeated baiting over successive years had continuing positive impacts on crocodile survival. In summary, we succeeded in buffering the often-catastrophic impact of invasive cane toads on apex predators.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Alligators and Crocodiles
/
Introduced Species
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Proc Biol Sci
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia
Country of publication:
Reino Unido