OAHN Wildlife Project: Anti-coagulant rodenticide exposure in non-target mammalian species (scavengers and predators) (in progress)

Project Lead: Dr. Cynthia Miltenburg (OMAFRA)

Collaborators:  Dr. Andrew Brooks, Dr. Jim Fairles, Dr. John Hunt, Dr. Steve Crawford

To view the full report, please download the PDF here: https://www.oahn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/OAHN-BOVINE-PROJECT-SUMMARY-Project-030494-Surveillance-of-postmortem-data-from-a-livestock-disposal-site-For-Web.pdf

Project Proposal

Improper use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) can lead to sublethal exposure and toxicity in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) has identified AR exposure as a common occurrence in Ontario birds of prey; however, the extent of AR exposure in other non-target Ontario wildlife species (e.g., predatory or scavenging mammals) is not known. With the development of a more sensitive AR screening tool at the AHL in 2016/2017 we are now in an ideal position to determine the extent of AR exposure in non-target wildlife. The goal of this project is to assess the occurrence and distribution of AR exposure in non-target mammalian species in southern Ontario, with a focus on predatory and scavenging mammals who are more likely to be exposed through consumption of affected prey items.