Potential of delta-decanolactone and (Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate to attract feral goats (Capra hircus)

A lure is needed for cost-effective control of feral goat populations dispersed in forests. We evaluated the odour delta-decanolactone and the pheromone (Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate in a series of trials using penned Angora goats on two New Zealand farms. Filter paper discs at each of two feeders stocked with lucerne chaff dispensed 2 mL of odour or pheromone in solution. The goats could also forage for grass. We counted goats at each feeder at 30-min intervals, and analysed how often the number at one exceeded the other. Delta-decanolactone attracted female goats significantly more often than the control solution (5% ethanol) in 1 of 3 trials and was not attractive when it was combined with oxytocin and gamma-amino-n-butyric acid in 1 trial. (Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate was significantly more attractive than the control in 1 of 2 trials on females and 2 of 3 trials on males, but addition of oxytocin and gamma-amino-n-butyric acid did not enhance the effect. A mixture of the odour and the pheromone attracted females in 1 of 3 trials. Inconsistent results between similar trials indicate the substances tested were unlikely to be universally attractive under field conditions.