Rabbit Control. More than a ‘silver bullet’.

Effective rabbit control requires the planned integration of different control techniques, but a recent paper in the Journal of Pest Science by Taggart et al concluded that ‘Land managers view RHDV as a ‘silver bullet’ and release it to avoid applying more expensive but more effective control methods’. This conclusion was reached after the authors […]

National Rabbit Coordinator: Discussion Paper

Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia has released a Discussion Paper outlining the case for a National Rabbit Management Coordinator, following broad consultation and in response to regulalry seeing first hand the need for such a position. A National Rabbit Coordinator would be expected to reinvigorate interest in rabbit control, promote relevant training, and stimulate the provision of […]

Backyard Bunnies

Rabbits seem to be a growing problem in urban and peri-urban areas around Australia. They cause problems ranging from raiding the veggie patch to undermining houses and sheds, and they can cause significant stress for the people affected. It is not just the physical damage they inflict but also the personal stress of having to […]

Planning pays for rabbit control

Effective planning is one of the keys to effective rabbit control – and now is a great time to start planning a summer control program. A case study from Riverina Local Land Services (NSW) shows the benefit of sound planning at a district scale (mapping warrens and arranging the most suitable machinery to use in […]

Start at the bottom for landscape recovery

The continuing ecological recovery of Macquarie Island demonstrates the effectiveness of starting at the bottom of the food web to generate landscape health. An initial focus on feral cats triggered a boom in rabbit and rat populations. Eliminating rabbits, rats and mice paved the way for predator removal and triggered a revival in vegetative habitat […]

Floods – time for rabbit control

Following floods and wet seasons in much of Australia it is time to think about strategic responses for recovery programs. Feral pests – especially rabbits – should feature in the mix according to Rabbit-Free Australia. ‘Floods may be bad news for rabbits, but after waters recede it can be boom time for bunnies – and […]

Summer is rabbit control time

Summer is the ideal time for rabbit control through much of Australia, with conditions suitable for baiting, ripping and (assuming rabbits have stopped breeding in the absence of green grass) the release of RHDVK5. State and regional bodies have a key role to play in stimulating and supporting control programs and it is great to […]

Pest eradication, a key to ecological restoration

Programs to eradicate invasive rats, cats, rabbits and goats have been a key to restoring the ecology on islands around the world according to a recent assessment of attempts on nearly 1,000 islands.

Rabbit-Free Phillip Island

Protecting houses and ‘at-risk’ vegetation from rabbits are goals for ‘Rabbit-Free Phillip Island’.

Wild Deserts rebounding

The eradication of ‘every last rabbit, cat and fox’ provided the foundation for the reintroduction of native animals to Sturt National Park, in NW NSW. Two reserve areas, totaling 40 sq kms, are now supporting populations of greater bilbies, crest-tailed mulgara and Shark Bay bandicoots, after they disappeared from the area over 100 years ago. […]