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Crinkled-leaved Poison
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Most species in the Gastrolobium genus contain sodium fluoroacetate in their leaves and seeds which the local native fauna that browse on these plants tolerate. However, non native species such as introduced livestock can actually die of poisoning after eating those plants.
The poison has been synthesised. Called 1080, it is now used in meat baits in the conservation areas of Western Austalia to kill foxes and feral cats, under the 'Western Shield' aerial baiting program. Native predators are much less susceptible to the doses that kill these two introduced pests. WA is one of the very few countries where use of this pesticide is legally allowed because of the low sensitivity of its native animals to the poison. This method is not without opposition from animal welfare activists and dog owners. However, it has helped reduced the impact of foxes in many conservation areas and has enabled a number of native species to recover. Cats are less likely to take the baits and new baiting methods are being investigated.
This particular species is the Crinkled-leaved Poison (Gastrolobium villosum), a common species in the Hills East of Perth. |
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