Understanding population growth time lags in invasive species. This project will use data collected from wild animals, landholder surveys, and computer simulation models to understand why invasive chital deer (Axis axis) are suddenly increasing in number after many years of slow population growth. By combining multiple empirical datasets and developing new modelling techniques, we will generate a new method for understanding population trends in introduced species. The results of this study will ....Understanding population growth time lags in invasive species. This project will use data collected from wild animals, landholder surveys, and computer simulation models to understand why invasive chital deer (Axis axis) are suddenly increasing in number after many years of slow population growth. By combining multiple empirical datasets and developing new modelling techniques, we will generate a new method for understanding population trends in introduced species. The results of this study will allow Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and others to better predict invasive species growth rates, which will allow for better, and more cost effective control methods. Read moreRead less
Messing with their minds: using deception to improve pest management. This project aims to develop new approaches to improve wildlife management by showing how deceit and misinformation can alter decision-making in pest animals. Using wild house mice as a model, it will test new theory on how animals decide whether or not to interact with wildlife control devices, like traps and baits, which is critical to all pest control efforts. The expected outcomes include new pest control tools that make s ....Messing with their minds: using deception to improve pest management. This project aims to develop new approaches to improve wildlife management by showing how deceit and misinformation can alter decision-making in pest animals. Using wild house mice as a model, it will test new theory on how animals decide whether or not to interact with wildlife control devices, like traps and baits, which is critical to all pest control efforts. The expected outcomes include new pest control tools that make strategic use of misinformation to alter decision making, to reduce a pest's ability to damage important agricultural crops such as wheat, boost the attraction of lures to traps, and improve bait uptake. These outcomes should provide significant new options for vertebrate pest control in Australia and globally.Read moreRead less