Use of feral animals in research

1.0 Introduction

Feral animal literally means "wild" animal. The term introduced vertebrate pest species is actually more accurate and will be used in this paper, as it differentiates so called feral animals, birds and fish from native fauna.

There is a need for some special consideration of the ethics of vertebrate pest research for two reasons. Firstly, feral animals are described and legislated for as both "pests" and "noxious animals". Also, in much of the community, there is a perception that there is a reduced requirement for animal welfare and ethical consideration in dealing with these animals.

2.0 Areas of Introduced Vertebrate Pest Research

2.1 Processes for Effective Control

2.1.1 Methods of capture eg. trapping, netting, helicopter mustering

2.1.2 Methods of killing

• physical methods eg. shooting, cervical dislocation
• chemical methods eg. poisoning, fumigation
• biological methods eg. myxomatosis, RCD

2.1.3 Controlling fertility

• chemical contraception
• immunocontraception

2.1.4 Other methods of control

• habitat destruction eg. rabbit warren ripping
• fencing in or out of control areas.
• electronic deterrents eg. "Shoo-Roo" or "Eradicat"

2.2 Interaction with other species

• predator-prey studies
• competition for resources and/or habitat

2.3 Utilisation

• harvesting methods of capture, transportation and slaughter
• farming nutritional requirements

3.0 Some areas of Animal Welfare and Ethical Concerns in Feral Animal Research

3.1 Studies of methods of killing

Any study of methods of killing generally requires that death is used as the end point of the experiment, which challenges one of the General Principles of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (hereafter referred to as the Code). Item 1.27 of the Code states that Investigators must avoid using death as an experimental end-point whenever possible.

Researchers considering this type of research should fulfil the requirements of Item 2.2.16 (xi) of the Code which requires that the planned end-point and the reason for its choice must be given and justified. If death as an end-point cannot be avoided, it must be justified. Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) and researchers should also consider Item 3.3.49 that states 'When death as the end-point is unavoidable, the project must be designed to result in the deaths of as few animals as possible'. In these circumstances the number of animals involved should also be determined with proper consideration for scientific validity.

As there is a special requirement of justification of any proposed research into methods of killing of feral animals, the justification should be from both a broad perspective, for example the effect of the feral animal species on the environment, as well as the specific requirement to do the research eg. development of a new lethal disease in the species. The proposed research should include in the justification a significant animal welfare component ie. improvement on current practices, whether the killing is by physical, chemical or biological methods.

3.2 Studies of Methods of Capture

As in 3.1, proposed research into methods of capturing should include in the justification a significant animal welfare component ie. improvement on current practices and should also fulfil all the requirements of Section 5 of the Code.

Current methods of capture may be used in Capture Studies as a "control" in the evaluation of new techniques.

3.3 Interaction Studies

See Draft Guidelines on Wildlife Interaction Studies.

Current control methods may be used to reduce feral animal numbers in interaction studies.

3.4 Field Studies

The animal experimentation ethics requirements for the use of feral animals in field studies should be the same as for wildlife . See Section 5 of the Code.

3.5 Use as laboratory animals

Feral animals may be used in a manner similar to laboratory animals in some studies, requiring close containment either out-doors on a research site or in a research animal house or GMAC designated containment facility. In accordance with Section 5.1.3 of the Code, animals should be taken from natural habitats only if animals bred in captivity are unsuitable for the specific scientific purpose.

Feral animals captured as free-living animals must be considered to be non-domesticated and may require special housing, care and handling.

3.6 Euthanasia

All feral animals used in research either in the laboratory or in the field must be euthanased at the conclusion of the research, in accordance with the principles as set out in the Code, Items 3.3.18 to 3.3.23. Release of feral (noxious) animals is illegal in NSW under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1989.

4.0 Conclusion

The use of feral animals in research must be carried out according to the principles of the Code, and in accordance with the State or Territory legal requirements for the use of animals in research. This requirement should over-ride the legislative requirement of the States and Territories to "suppress and destroy noxious animals by any lawful method".

Of special concern in feral animal studies is research into methods of killing. Research into this aspect of feral animal control requires considerable justification, which should include an animal welfare component.

5.0 References

Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. NHMRC, CSIRO, AAC. (2004)

NSW Rural Lands Protection Act 1989 No. 197

Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. Feral Animals and Invasive Plants in the ACT. Report by the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment. March 1994

Wildlife Advisory Group, NSW Animal Research Review Panel. Working Papers for submission to the Code Liaison Group.

Prepared by Andrew Braid on behalf of the Wildlife Advisory Group

Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 7