Publications by authors named "Amelia J Koch"
Article Synopsis
- Lead-based ammunition presents a significant environmental risk, particularly for scavenger species like Tasmanian devils, especially in areas with heavy shooting activities.
- A study assessed blood lead levels (BLLs) in Tasmanian devils before and after a culling program, finding that while the overall BLLs didn't change significantly, some devils closer to culling sites showed elevated BLLs.
- The research suggests that while some devils were potentially exposed to lead from culling carcasses, the majority did not exhibit recent exposure, although even low lead levels can negatively affect wildlife health, raising concerns for the species.
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) used to control mammalian pest populations cause secondary exposure of predatory species throughout much of the world. It is important to understand the drivers of non-target AR exposure patterns as context for assessing long-term effects and developing effective mitigation for these toxicants. In Australia, however, little is known about exposure and effects of ARs on predators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLead poisoning, mainly through incidental ingestion of lead ammunition in carcasses, is a threat to scavenging and predatory bird species worldwide. In Australia, shooting for animal control is widespread, and a range of native scavenging species are susceptible to lead exposure. However, the prevalence of lead exposure in Australia's scavenging and predatory birds is largely unknown.
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