The results indicated that possum populations could be reduced to similar levels to those achieved with aerial application provided the possums were fed non-toxic cereal baits beforehand. If maize or barley were fed beforehand less toxic baits were eaten. Costs would increase when terrain became steeper, forest more dense and access more limited.
Possums are also a major vector of bovine tuberculosis, which they transmit to cattle and deer.
There is therefore a need to control possums in many areas. Aerial application of baits can cover large areas cheaply and quickly, even in remote inaccessible country. However, despite the proven environmental safety of the method there is still some public opposition to it. The main concerns are perceived environmental contamination, risks to non-target species, the lack of employment opportunities created and the waste of a natural resource i.e. possum skins. This paper examines the suitability of using 1080 poisoned bait fed from bait stations in native forest.