Baiting set to start at Murujuga, Dampier islands

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions officers are warning people to keep their pets away from Murujuga National Park and the Dampier Archipelago in coming months as they prepare to start an annual baiting program to better protect native animals in the area.

Aerial and ground baiting, using dried meat baits containing 1080 poison, will be conducted in several areas in and around the national park from the middle of this month as part of a State Government fauna recovery program targeting foxes and feral cats.

Native Australian animals are generally highly tolerant of 1080, which is naturally occurring in WA, but the substance is poisonous to dogs and cats.

DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service Murujuga joint management officer Matthew Verdouw said it was important pet owners were aware their animals were not permitted in baited areas, including Murujuga National Park or any islands within the Dampier Archipelago.

“The 1080 poison is broken down in the natural environment by fungi and bacteria, but in the dry Pilbara environment it may persist for longer periods of time and remain a poison risk for domestic animals all year round,” he said.

Baiting will be carried out in Murujuga, on the Burrup Peninsula in Dampier, and on Dolphin Island, Angel Island and Gidley Island in the Dampier Archipelago.

The government’s Western Shield fauna recovery program aims to protect threatened native species, including Rothschild’s rock wallabies, northern quolls and sea turtles in the North West, by controlling introduced predators.