Damon Mcknight
Australia has a long history of attempting to reduce its rabbit population, which has caused millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops and is a serious mammalian pest. European rabbits were first introduced to Australia in the 18th century, and by 1859, they had become so prevalent that two million could be shot or trapped annually without affecting the population. Various methods have been used to control the population, including shooting rabbits, destroying their warrens, building fences, and introducing viruses. While some of these methods had limited success, others, like the myxoma virus, which causes myxomatosis, have been more effective, reducing the rabbit population by up to 99.8%. However, rabbits have begun to develop resistance to some of these methods, and their populations are once again on the rise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduction of rabbits | 1788 or 1859 |
| Number of rabbits introduced | 12 or 13 |
| Current population | 200 million |
| Peak population | 600 million |
| Methods to reduce population | Shooting, destroying warrens, rabbit-proof fencing, introduction of myxoma virus, introduction of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) |
| Effectiveness of shooting | Limited success |
| Effectiveness of destroying warrens | Successful for controlling small populations |
| Effectiveness of rabbit-proof fencing | Unsuccessful |
| Effectiveness of myxoma virus | Initially successful, but rabbits developed immunity |
| Effectiveness of RHDV | Initially successful, but rabbits developed resistance |
| Economic impact of rabbits | $200 million per year |
| Environmental impact of rabbits | Damage to native plants, pastures, and crops, soil erosion, reduced water quality |
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What You'll Learn
Shooting rabbits and destroying warrens
Shooting rabbits is one of the most common methods of controlling their population in Australia. This method is effective in keeping already low populations in check while providing food for people or pets. However, it is not a viable option for large-scale eradication. During the 1930s Depression, many people resorted to shooting or trapping rabbits for food, or even became rabbitohs – itinerant rabbit-sellers.
The destruction of warrens is another key method of controlling rabbit populations. Warrens are places where rabbits breed and raise their young, so removing them takes away the rabbit's ability to reproduce and rebuild their numbers. The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation. Fumigation is also used to destroy warrens, and it is often employed as a follow-up to ripping in the autumn and winter months.
The "Rabbit Recipe" is a scientifically proven series of steps that can be followed to manage rabbit populations. It includes monitoring and coordinating with neighbours, reducing numbers through baiting, destroying warrens, removing above-ground shelter, and following up with reripping or fumigation if necessary. The timing of these control methods is crucial, with summer being the best time for baiting when other food sources are scarce, followed by ripping when the soil is more likely to collapse.
While shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens are effective methods for controlling rabbit populations, they have had only limited success in reducing Australia's rabbit population. The country continues to face challenges in managing these invasive species, which cause significant environmental damage and economic losses.
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Rabbit-proof fencing
Rabbits were introduced to Australia in the 18th century by the First Fleet and later by Thomas Austin, a wealthy settler, in 1859. They caused great environmental damage and became a major problem for farmers. In response to this, the Australian government built a rabbit-proof fence in Western Australia from 1901 to 1907. Unfortunately, this fence was unsuccessful in containing the rabbit population for several reasons.
Firstly, the fence was completed after rabbits had already spread into the state. Secondly, the constant deterioration of the fence meant that rabbits could almost always find a way to cross. Thirdly, the fence only served to fence in the rabbits that were already living in the state, rather than keeping them out. By the late 1940s, the rabbit population had increased rapidly to 600 million due to high rainfall, good harvests, and reduced manpower for trapping and fence maintenance during World War II.
The rabbit-proof fence in Western Australia was part of a series of conventional methods attempted in the 20th century to control the rabbit population. Other methods included shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, which are places where rabbits breed and raise their young. While these methods had limited success, they are still used today, especially on large farms. For example, "ripping" is a procedure where sharp tines are dragged over rabbit warrens or burrows by bulldozers or tractors, resulting in the dismemberment or burial of the rabbits.
Despite the initial unsuccessful attempts to contain the rabbit population with fences, fencing continues to be used as a control method. Today, farmers coordinate their efforts with neighbours to monitor and reduce rabbit numbers. They also employ strategies such as baiting, ripping warrens, and fumigation to manage rabbit populations on their properties.
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Myxoma virus
The myxoma virus, which causes myxomatosis, was introduced to Australia's rabbit population in the 1950s. It was the first virus ever to be purposefully released into the wild to eradicate an animal.
The myxoma virus was discovered in a laboratory in Uruguay in 1896. Its host is the Brazilian wild rabbit, and it is likely transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. After initial trials in the UK, Australia, and laboratories, the virus was found to kill up to 99.8% of infected rabbits.
In southeastern Australia, the government released rabbits infected with myxoma, a rabbit-specific virus. Australian scientist Peter Kerr commented on the release, stating:
> "Thus, inadvertently, began one of the great experiments in natural selection, conducted on a continental scale."
The myxoma virus was successful in reducing the rabbit population in Australia. However, the surviving rabbits eventually developed an immunity to the virus, rendering it ineffective.
Myxomatosis alone will not provide effective rabbit control. Susceptible rabbits exposed to myxomatosis are likely to die. However, some exposed rabbits will live a full life and breed as normal.
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Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)
RHDV was officially released in Australia in 1996 to control the rabbit population. It was particularly effective in dry areas, reducing rabbit numbers by up to 90%. However, the virus is less effective in cooler, wetter regions with high rainfall, as flies, which serve as the viral vector, are less prevalent in these areas. Unfortunately, rabbits have begun to develop resistance to RHDV, similar to what happened with the earlier myxoma virus.
There are several strains of RHDV, with RHDV2 being a newer strain that has largely replaced the original RHDV in many countries, including Australia. RHDV2 is highly contagious and lethal, with mortality rates reaching 100% in some cases. It can be transmitted through direct rabbit-to-rabbit contact and indirect contact with contaminated objects, food, water, hands, shoes, or rodents. The virus is very resilient, remaining viable for three months or more in decaying carcasses and contaminated objects. Infected rabbits may exhibit clinical signs such as bleeding from the mouth, nose, or rectum, fever, respiratory distress, and hemorrhages in various organs.
To address the threat of RHDV2, an experimental vaccine from MedGene has received emergency use authorization in the United States. It is important to educate rabbit owners about recognizing clinical signs and following prevention guidelines to reduce the spread of this fatal disease.
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Poisoning
There are two types of toxins that can be used to bait rabbits: 1080 and pindone. 1080, or sodium fluoroacetate, is a naturally occurring compound found in some native Australian plants. Australian native animals have evolved with this compound in their diet and have developed higher resistances to 1080 when compared to introduced species that are highly susceptible. 1080 is an acute poison, which means that animals only need to access the bait on one occasion for a lethal dose. It is also a Schedule 7 poison and is subject to state and territory regulations, which restrict its availability, possession, storage, and use. When used in conjunction with other control techniques, 1080 is a relatively cheap and effective poison for killing rabbits. It is usually dissolved in water to make a 1.5% solution and mixed with bait material such as oats or chopped carrot. The bait is often dyed blue or green to give it a unique appearance and avoid accidental misuse, and to reduce its attractiveness to birds.
Pindone, on the other hand, is a first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide. It has been used to control rabbits in Australia since the 1980s and is often used when 1080 is impractical or unsuitable due to its delayed onset of poisoning and the availability of an antidote (vitamin K1). It is safer to use in closer-settled areas. Pindone requires at least two 'free' feeds (without toxin) followed by a minimum of three pindone feeds to kill a high proportion of rabbits. It is a cumulative poison, which means that toxic baits must be laid over three nights for toxin levels to build up to a lethal dose.
A successful baiting program should kill 95% of the rabbit population. Baiting is recommended during late summer/early autumn when alternative feed is scarce and rabbits are under stress. It is recommended that the bait is distributed in the evening to minimise its availability to non-target animals and to ensure overnight consumption by rabbits. However, this can increase labour costs. Before introducing the poisoned bait, it is important to encourage all rabbits to feed on the trail by free-feeding, or pre-baiting, which means laying out unpoisoned bait on two or more occasions over a period of 7-10 days.
It is important to note that non-target species, such as dogs, cats, and carnivores, may also be killed if they consume rabbits poisoned with 1080, which is referred to as secondary poisoning. Therefore, all pets and working dogs should be muzzled and/or restrained for the duration of the baiting program, and all rabbit carcasses must be picked up and disposed of properly.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that approximately 200 million feral rabbits inhabit Australia.
Various methods have been used to reduce the rabbit population in Australia, including shooting rabbits, destroying their warrens, building fences, and introducing viruses such as myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV).
Yes, Australia has had some success in reducing the rabbit population, particularly with the introduction of the myxoma virus in the 1950s, which severely reduced the rabbit population. However, rabbits have since adapted and their numbers are on the rise again.
Rabbits are an invasive species in Australia and have caused millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops and the environment. They compete with native wildlife for food and habitat, and their excessive grazing habits lead to soil erosion and reduced water quality.
Rabbit control in Australia is an ongoing process and there is no quick fix solution. Scientists are constantly searching for new biocontrol agents to control the rabbit population, and it is important to use a combination of methods for effective rabbit management.
