WWF-AUSTRALIA STATEMENT ON 1080

Introduced predators like foxes and cats have significant impact on native wildlife, particularly threatened species.

These predators are responsible for substantial declines and local extinctions in populations of mammals, birds, and reptiles, many of which are unique to Australia. There is a critical need for predator control to protect native species that are highly vulnerable to these invasive threats.

WWF-Australia advocates for a balanced, science-based approach to managing introduced predators.

Along with our partners, WWF-Australia supports programs aimed at reducing the impacts of these predators on threatened species, including the development of predator-proof fencing and specific control strategies. Where threatening processes cannot be excluded, some level of management is required.

WWF-Australia acknowledges that delivering target-specific 1080 is a challenging management issue requiring ongoing investment, and the strategy of 1080 bait deployment is not an effective long-term, landscape-scale solution to introduced predators. WWF-Australia however, also acknowledges the requirement by some land and wildlife managers to use 1080 where short-term, tactical responses are required to safeguard species threatened by predation.

Sodium fluoroacetate, the active ingredient in 1080 is biodegradable and naturally occurs in some Australian plants, meaning that native wildlife have a degree of resistance to it, while invasive species are highly vulnerable.

While sometimes involved in broadscale threatened species conservation programs that include elements of feral predator control, WWF-Australia does not participate or fund in management efforts that include the use of 1080 or other forms of lethal control.

WWF-Australia supports projects that work towards a long-term vision of reducing the reliance on 1080 and is investing in advocacy for novel and innovative methods to reduce the impact of foxes and cats on Australian wildlife.

At WWF, we recognise that without alternatives to 1080, removing it from use could significantly harm conservation efforts aimed at protecting threatened species from predation.

However, there is a need for ongoing research into alternative, humane, and ecologically sensitive methods of predator control. WWF supports efforts to improve predator management strategies to protect native species without causing undue harm to other wildlife or ecosystems.