Rabbits

Rabbits remain the most costly agricultural and environmental pest in Australia. AWI has invested in projects to gain an understanding of the status of RHD and the impact of rabbits on biodiveristy and lost productivity.  

From the initial control methods of the 1950s through to the introduction of RHD in the mid-nineties, the control of rabbits has been a significant, industry-wide issue.

Rabbits remain the most costly agricultural and environmental pest in Australia.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) or Calici Virus, released in 1995 has provided significant economic and environmental gains through lower rabbit numbers and reduced grazing pressure in many areas. However, in areas where RHD has had little impact, rabbits still reduce wool and meat production.

Recent observations by landholders in some regions have reported increased rabbit populations although state agencies report no clear trends, up or down, in rabbit numbers. This might indicate rabbits have not yet developed resistance to RHD. Until now, there has been no attempt to determine if resistance to RHD is developing.

The AWI supported rabbits program, covered 4 projects :

  • 1.Understand the effectiveness of RHD in reducing rabbit population since its release.
    Modelling found that RHD effectiveness varies between temperate & semi arid environments. RHDv occurs mostly in summer at Bacchus Marsh (temperate), yet has stronger impact, normally during the winter, in reducing rabbit abundance at Gum Creek (semi arid). The results suggest that there is unlikely to be a common model to describe the impact of RHD in all environments.
    It was concluded established methods of control, poisoning, warren ripping and fumigation, provide the best option for value adding to RHDv.
  • 2.Determine whether genetic resistance to RHD is emerging in the rabbit population. 
    Limited experimental research has shown that rabbits have not developed such high resistance that they can withstand a high virus challenge but resistance to infection is demonstrable in some populations at a lower dose. Resistance appears to be developing most rapidly in areas where RHDv impact has been highest (sheep wheat zone).
  • 3.Estimate the economic impact of rabbits at their current population levels.
  • 4.Estimate the impact of rabbits on plant diversity in the pastoral and higher rainfall zones.
    Results show that it takes only 1 rabbit/ha to significantly reduce the capacity for many native plant species to regenerate. It is hypothesised that losses to roadside biodiversity may well occur before rabbits reach levels where they cause noticeable economic  damage to agricultural land.
     A rapid survey available from http://www.feral.org.au/index.cfmfuseaction=search.Reference
    Details&fer reference_uuid=0261A7A3-9BDC-BE37-4C8B27FF59A56F2A      will assist producers & conservation managers determine whether rabbit control is required to protect native vegetation.

This work will guide future rabbit research and development towards advancing sustainable options for control and management of rabbits.

See information about foxes and feral dogs.

Resources

Contact

Brian Cooke

Program Manager
University of Canberra
Tel: +61 2 6201 2032
Contact via email

 

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