The GWLAP works crew have been busy this summer controlling rabbits in and around our many project sites. Rabbits can cause untold damage to our revegetation and bushcare sites and the success (or otherwise) of our rabbit control programs can either make or break an entire project.
European rabbits are one of Australia’s most costly pest animals causing upwards of $200 million in damage to the agricultural industry each year and impacting 304 native threatened flora and fauna within Australia.
Did you know…
- Rabbits can start breeding at only 4 months old
- Can produce 5 or more litters annually
- Have a gestation period of only 28 to 30 days
These evil beasts (with sharp, pointy teeth) are widely distributed throughout our area and compete with native animals for food and shelter and impact our native vegetation and revegetation by ring-barking, grazing and browsing.
There are a number of ways rabbits can be controlled and managed, including:
- Baiting (using 1080 or Pindone)
- Warren fumigation
- Warren destruction
- Exclusion fencing
- Trapping
- Shooting
- Introduced viruses and diseases – including the soon-to-be-released RHDV1 K5 virus
Australian Wool Innovation and the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IA CRC) and partners have recently released a new video series to assist land managers apply rabbit control during Autumn. The series covers conventional rabbit control techniques as well as how to prepare for the release of the new virus.
Local advice and printed information on rabbit control can be accessed at the Strathalbyn Natural Resource Centre or Natural Resource Centres at Murray Bridge or Mount Barker.
GWLAP Works Crew fumigating rabbit warrens
