First confirmed case of K5
CSIRO have confirmed the first death of a wild rabbit due to the K5 strain of RHDV1. For more information, see the ABC News story.
Category Archives: Biological Control
Call to support research
With so much happening at present regarding rabbit control, RFA has issued a timely reminder of the importance of strong, ongoing scientific effort. See the Foundation’s media statement for more information.
High hopes for wild rabbit control
PIRSA, NRM and Landcare groups across South Australia are part of a national release of the RHDV1-K5 virus and there are high hopes it will be effective in high rainfall country. Researchers will monitor rabbit populations at trial release sites, and landholders are urged to take advantage of any drop in rabbit numbers with ground […]
Prepare now for RHDV1 K5
Landholders and pet rabbit owners alike are being urged to prepare for the March, 2017 release of the K5 strain of RHDV1 (calici virus), at over 600 sites across Australia. Vaccination of pet rabbits is recommended, while landholders can visit the Healthier Landscapes website for advice and tools to optimize the benefits of K5 in […]
Phone app to help monitor rabbit disease
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre has released an app to record sightings of diseased rabbits and to request a tissue sampling kit so the exact cause of the disease may be identified. The information generated through the app will help landholders and researchers understand where different rabbit diseases are occurring. To learn more about […]
Key Facts about rabbit biocontrol
Notes about the history of rabbits and biocontrols in Australia have been uploaded to the PestSmart website. For more information see the Key Facts.
Rabbit control trials announced
The Australian Government has announced that the RHDV1 K5 virus will be released in 2017 at more than 600 trial sites across the nation. For more information, see the media release.
RHDV2 found in WA
A strain of calici virus (RHDV2) first found in eastern Australia in 2015 has now been detected in Western Australia. For more information see the WA DAF media release.
Prey-switching research planned at Roxby
Hugh McGregor is planning to study how cats and foxes respond to the arrival of RHDV2 at the Arid recovery research site at Roxby Downs, in terms of their numbers and diet. For more information see the Arid Recovery News.
Help rabbit control by reporting local activity
In preparation for the release of RHDV1 K5, landholders and the community are being asked to help develop baseline information about rabbit numbers and to provide any evidence of disease-affected rabbits in their area. people can get involved in two ways: Record rabbit activity in your local area in August or September in RabbitScan, preferably after completing a […]