Review of the use of 1080 and other pest animal control methods

In 2022, the Victorian Government committed $1 million over 2 years (2023 to 2025) for an election commitment to investigate alternatives to 1080 poison for pest animal management.

As the first stage to this commitment, Agriculture Victoria, within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), engaged a market research company to design and conduct a survey of all authorised 1080 users.

For a second stage, Agriculture Victoria commissioned DEECA’s Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research to undertake a review of the use of 1080 and other methods for controlling European Rabbits, Feral Pigs, Red Foxes, unprotected Dingoes and Wild Dogs in Victoria.

The objective of the review was to provide a scientific, evidence-based consideration of the currently available alternatives to 1080. This will inform ongoing policy and operational decisions in optimising management of pest animal impacts in Victoria.

How the review was conducted

The researchers undertook a formal literature search of the scientific and technical information and contacted subject matter experts and researchers for unpublished data or advice, with 625 studies meeting their criteria. The review also drew on the results of the 1080 user survey, which provided information about how 1080 and other pest animal management methods are currently used in Victoria.

The researchers then used this information to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of 1080 and alternatives for each of the target pest animal species. The evaluation criteria were cost (economic), health and safety, environmental effects, animal welfare outcomes and social/cultural considerations. Research on the cost-effectiveness in Victoria remains limited, with few studies addressing costs and none offering comparative analyses of various lethal and non-lethal methods.

The review did not consider land or farm management practices that may assist in managing the impact of pest species.

What the review found

The review found that most alternatives to 1080 can be effective in some situations, but they are often more costly or have potential disadvantages relating to efficacy, animal welfare, environment or social or cultural considerations. The review found that the optimal choice of control methods depends on the target pest species and the specific circumstances in which pest management is needed.  A summary for lethal control options for each species is provided below.

Foxes

• Fox control in Victoria relies heavily on 1080 baiting as the most cost-effective method for broadscale population reduction.
• An alternative toxic fox bait containing para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) is considered more humane than 1080 and can be effective but is more costly and has a different non-target risk profile.
• Ground shooting is highly target specific but ineffective for sustained control.
• Trapping is labour-intensive, ineffective at scale and performs poorly at low fox densities.

Rabbits

• Baiting with 1080 can achieve high population reduction in dry conditions, though populations often recover quickly.
• In comparison to 1080, pindone baiting can have similar efficacy and has lower risk to dogs but is less humane and is more costly.
• Warren destruction (ripping) can achieve high population reduction followed by less rapid recovery of rabbit populations.
• Fumigation of warrens can have high efficacy in situations where ripping or baiting is impractical but may be less humane than 1080.
• Combining methods — such as poisoning, ripping, and fumigation — significantly enhances control outcomes, particularly with ongoing maintenance efforts.
• Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (i.e. biocontrol) in conjunction with traditional techniques can improve cost-efficiency and reduce the need for toxic baiting in some circumstances.

Feral pigs

• 1080 baiting for feral pigs can achieve high population reductions but does not appear to be widely used in Victoria.
• An alternative feral pig bait containing sodium nitrite bait is considered more humane than 1080 and can achieve high population reduction when used in bait boxes which also reduces non-target risk.
• Trapping has variable efficacy depending on conditions and effort but is labour-intensive and costly.
• Both ground and aerial shooting are labour-intensive and generally unsuitable for large-scale control in areas of dense vegetation in Victoria.

‘Wild dogs’ and unprotected Dingoes

• Ground 1080 baiting achieves variable success but is generally cost effective, with environmental factors affecting outcomes.
• An alternative toxic bait containing PAPP is considered more humane than 1080 and can be effective but is more costly and has a different non-target species risk profile.
• Trapping effectiveness depends on trap type, operator experience, and environmental conditions. Leg-hold trapping is considered generally less humane than 1080.
• Ground shooting lacks evidence of population-level impact or measurable influence in reducing stock attacks.
• Research on the cost-effectiveness of unprotected Dingo and Wild dog control in Victoria remains limited, with few studies addressing costs and none offering comparative analyses of various lethal and non-lethal methods.

Non-lethal methods

• Livestock guardian animals can be used effectively, but this depends on factors such as appropriate training, bonding, and livestock-to-guardian animal ratios, as well as fencing to manage their tendency to wander.
• Exclusion fencing effectiveness varies by species and context. Feral pig fencing is limited to high-value areas, it can be effective for fox control in intensive agricultural zones, and conservation sanctuaries. Linear and cell fencing is used for Dingo and Wild Dog in Victoria, typically alongside lethal control methods rather than as standalone solutions. Despite its benefits, costs and long-term maintenance present challenges.
• Behavioural modification strategies show mixed results. Given their transient effectiveness, these are best suited for critical risk periods such as calving or lambing.

Potential future use of review findings

Viable alternatives to the use of 1080 exist, however all require careful context specific consideration and are generally less cost-effective with varying animal welfare and social impacts.

Effective pest management requires the adoption of adaptive, evidence-based strategies that balance environmental, social, and welfare issues. Tailored approaches, supported by careful monitoring and cost assessments are necessary to mitigate negative impacts and ensure long-term control of pest populations.

The detailed technical information in the review, in combination with the 1080 survey findings, provide opportunities to address particular issues associated with each combination of target species and control method into the future.

Read the report:

• The use of 1080 and other methods for controlling European rabbits, feral pigs, red foxes and unprotected dingoes and wild dogs in Victoria   [PDF File - 2.7 MB]
• The use of 1080 and other methods for controlling European rabbits, feral pigs, red foxes and unprotected dingoes and wild dogs in Victoria [Word file 2.5 MB]