Thiabendazole-based taste aversions in dingoes (Canis familiaris dingo) and New Guinea wild dogs (Canis familiaris hallstromi)

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted on captive dingoes (Canis familiaris dingo) and New Guinea wild dogs (Canis familiaris hallstromi) to evaluate: (1) whether these dogs will acquire conditioned food aversions; and (2) to investigate the use of thiabendazole for establishing illness-based food aversions. Of 14 dogs fed thiabendazole-treated lamb, only one continued to consume untreated lamb meat. All 5 dogs which were fed lamb on the same schedules as the treatment animals continued to consume all of the lamb presented. Clearly, thiabendazole produces conditioned taste aversions, and further research for application to canine damage control problems seems justified.