As a result of Mike Lohr’s PhD project, the lab is now the recognised Australian leader in investigating and understanding the impact of rat and mouse baits on wildlife. Mike’s work uncovered some very concerning findings including widespread lethal impacts on the Southern Boobook owl, secondary poisoning of reptiles and potential human health effects. Work on mammals is underway and we are able to assist with state of the art facilities for detecting and reporting on rodenticide levels in wildlife, Australia-wide.

Key publications:

• Lettoof, D.C., Lohr, M., Busetti, F., Bateman, P.W. and Davis, R.A. (2020). Toxic time bombs: Frequent detection of anticoagulant rodenticides in urban reptiles at multiple trophic levels. Science of the Total Environment. 724:138218.
• Lohr, M.T. and Davis, R.A.(2018). Anticoagulant rodenticide use, non-target impacts and regulation: a case study from Australia. Science of the Total Environment. 634C, 1372-1384
• Lohr, M. (2018). Anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in an Australian predatory bird increases with proximity to developed habitat. Science of the Total Environment, 643: 134-144.