Rabbit Free Australia – Promoting awareness and control of Australia's rabbit problem

Rabbits

Australia's worst vertebrate pest
Bilbies not bunnies

Reclaiming the Australian environment

Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia Inc. (RFA)

Rabbit-Free Australia is a publicly subscribed fund to support research, raise awareness and encourage on-ground action to eradicate feral rabbits from Australia.

The European wild rabbit is Australia’s worst vertebrate pest, being widespread and destructive to natural environments and primary production.

Rabbits adversely affect over 300 threatened native species, change landscapes, and cause losses of over $200 million a year to agricultural production.

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Mission

To promote the eradication of wild rabbits from Australia by:

Supporting research and researchers,
Raising awareness and understanding, and
Encouraging on-ground control measures.

Vision

Australian landscapes that are free of their most notorious pest – the European wild rabbit.

Productive landscapes which support abundant native wildlife are feasible in Australia. Places like rabbit-free Kangaroo Island, and Macquarie Island once rabbits were eradicated, are examples.

Rabbit Free Australia is committed to rebuilding Australian landscapes. The eradication of feral rabbits is a crucial step to that end.

Research

RFA research priorities are:
• New biological controls.
• The impacts of rabbits.
• Rabbit R&D capacity.

Awareness

RFA awareness priorities are:
• Knowledge management.
• Partnerships and public relations.
• Communication.

On-Ground Measures

RFA On-ground priorities are:
• Integrated control and restoration programs.
• Community engagement.

Bilby Emblem

The Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is an Australian native animal that has faced extinction due, in large part, to European wild rabbits. Integrated programs involving breeding bilbies and controlling rabbits and other pests are now helping the recovery of bilby populations in some areas.