To evaluate the use of carnivore odours as effective deterrents for macropods
In cooperation with the University of Queensland

This project is being conducted by Tarnya Cox, a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, School of Animal Studies. It aims to develop a non-lethal form of management for kangaroos and other vertebrate species that may be considered as pests. It is based on the premise that the risk of predation outweighs the benefit of obtaining food causing the the animal to move on to an alternate feed source when the presence of predators is detected. A concurrent project is being undertaken evaluating the effects of the same odours on goats. The project also attempts to evaluate the role that evolution plays in repellent effectiveness. Both eutherian and metatherian (marsupial) carnivore odours were used in the initial trials. Tiger and Tasmanian devil odours were used on both goats and kangaroos to determine whether a eutherian or a metatherian odour would be more successful in the Australian context. Tigers were selected for their evolutionary relationship with goats, and, whilst Tasmanian devils no longer occur on the mainland, they were selected as the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial. Tasmanian devil odour was found to be unsuccessful in deterring either goats or kangaroos from feeding.