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The AHB contracts research within five key areas. These are listed below. Under the description for each key area is a selection of full research reports which are available for you to view by clicking on the title.
All AHB-contracted research is peer reviewed by three members of the AHB's Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
Immunology, Vaccine and Alternative Diagnostic Testing
Research within this area includes investigating ways in which animals react to infection with Tb, and the diagnosis of Tb in cattle, deer and wildlife. One of the AHB's current major research directions is the development and trialling of a wildlife vaccine for bovine Tb.
Survival of BCG in possum faeces (R-30631)
Examination of non-lesioned deer for M. bovis (R-30549)
Possum-specific toxins that target secretion (R-30553-01)
Click on the links below to view our vaccine newsletters:
Vaccine Newsletter #1
Vaccine Newsletter #2
Vaccine Newsletter #3
Vaccine Newsletter #4
Vaccine Newsletter #5
Toxins
The AHB uses various toxins to assist in controlling Tb vectors that pass infection on to domestic livestock. Research within this area relates to regulatory requirements related to the application of existing toxins used in vector control and evaluating new toxins for use in vector control operations. Further information about 1080, one of the toxins used by the AHB, can be found by clicking on the link "1080 Info" at the top of this page.
Veterinary and Clinical Treatment of Poisoning Manual
The effects of 1080 on invertebrate communities and fish in West Coast streams (R-80575)
Residues in long-fin eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) following exposure to 1080 in water and food (R-10604)
Epidemiology, Ecology and Modelling
The projects that the AHB contracts within this area of research provides answers to various questions including how disease is spread, what the key mechanisms are in the transmission of Tb between and within species and how the behaviour of wildlife vectors affects Tb spread. The development and utilisation of computer models also assists in containing and eradicating Tb from wild animal populations.
The Featherston project - Massey University (R-50634)
The Featherston project - Landcare Research (R-50634)
Are deer important long-term reservoir hosts of Tb? (R-10537)
Pigs as sentinels for detection of Tb – Phase II (R-10558)
Eliminating Tb – Results from a spatially explicit stochastic model (R-10619)
A modelling comparison of the cost-effectiveness of aerial and ground based control operations (R-80597-01)
The AHB has recently contracted Landcare Research to undertake a 4 year project to identify the best way of "eliminating" possums at a local level. This is part of a larger, FRST-funded project studying Mulitple Pest Dynamics. Click on the link below for further information about this programme.
Multiple Pest Dynamics Project - Aug 2006
New Control Tools, Methods of Application, Monitoring and Consultation
This area of research is operation-oriented. It includes investigating the improvement and modification of vector control tools to produce more cost-effective and efficient results.
Best Practice Ferret Control Manual
Hatepe trial (R-80597)
Decay of 1080 baits used for possum control (R-80599)
Field efficacy of cholecalciferol gel baits for possum control (R-10644)
Deer repellent 1080 cereal bait field trial (R-80568-03)
Physical exclusion of weka from possum baits (R-10643)
Biological Control
The AHB contracts research in this area aimed at alternative means of controlling wildlife vectors using applied biological means.
In late 2004, AHB became involved with a Foundation of Research, Science and Technology (FRST) initiative, the development and implementation of OBI’s (outcome based investment). The aim of these OBI’s is to allow the individuals and organisations with the appropriate expertise the flexibility to direct a long term research programme to achieve a specified outcome. OBI’s are contracted to the main research provider, and are guided with the help of end user organisations (through representation on a governance board).
AHB now has direct involvement with such one OBI, the National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol (NRCPB), as an end user organisation and is represented on the governance board by Paul Livingstone (Technical Manager) and Penny Fairbrother (Research Coordinator). As part of this involvement, AHB has committed to contracting further research projects which fall within the NRCPB's framework.
The main research provider for the NRCPB is AgResearch. Landcare Research is a collaborative research provider. Other represented end user organisations are the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and local government.
For more information on the NRCPB, please visit the website http://possumbiocontrol.agresearch.co.nz/
Delivery systems for possum biocontrol – Bacterial ghosts (R-10616)
Isolation & release of a possum parasite (R-30636)
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