Rabbits are as relevant to modern problems like climate change and bushfire recovery, as they are to traditional challenges of vegetation loss, erosion and ecological disruption. In areas recovering from drought or bushfire, now is the time to act. According to a PestSmart article, examination of the damage caused by wild rabbits and other feral […]
Rabbit-Free Australia is now offering a special $20 joining fee for new members. Membership of RFA is one way people can help science stay ahead of rabbits and limit the risk that invasive rabbits will impair the recovery of landscapes following drought and bushfire. For more information see the Media Release or email the Foundation […]
Something is going to die. It will be invasive species or it will be indigenous species. Inaction is a choice for invasives to survive to the detriment of indigenous species. That is the gist of a reflection on New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 goal, published in New Zealand Geographic. ‘If we leave predators to it, […]
The Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) has been internationally acclaimed as a successful rabbit management program. Two recent social science papers describe their approach and some of the theory behind it. Key points: The Victorian Rabbit Action Network: Moved away from a top-down, regulatory (roles-based) approach. Defined rabbit management as a ‘wicked problem’ needing a […]
Wild rabbits in Australia lie in six genetic clusters, most likely reflecting different sources of introduction. It raises the question of whether their differing genetics influences their susceptibility to infection by diseases such as RHDV. In work funded by RabbitFree Australia, Dr Amy Iannella did some investigating; discovering that of 135 resistance genes tested, only […]
Over abundant rabbit populations lead to high densities of feral cats – and a correspondingly high impact of cats on native species, especially small mammals. What happens when rabbit numbers drop? Research to see if cats prey-switch (eat more small mammals) or if their numbers drop instead (not impacting native animals) has concluded that: Cat […]
Dr Emma Sherratt, of the Environment Institute (University of Adelaide), will investigate the morphological variations in rabbits and hares that enable their rapid evolution, thanks to funding via an ARC Future Fellowship. The work will help identify how these invasive species are adapting to the Australian landscape, and clarify what features facilitate, or limit, their […]
Thirty Bilbies from a breeding colony on Thistle Island (South Australia) have been released in a 9,570 Ha predator-proof enclosure in NSW. The feral-free reserve was established by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and the NSW government, in the Mallee Cliffs National Park. The collaborative work is a great example of landscape restoration once feral […]
The 27th Annual AGM of Foundation for Rabbit Free Australia will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 14th, at the Santos Conservation Centre (Adelaide Zoo). All members, prospective members and visitors are invited. The meeting will include a presentation and discussion on community involvement in rabbit control. Please RSVP to admin@rabbitfreeaustrali.org.au
At a recent meeting the RFA Committee resolved to consider forming two sub-committees in the new year: one focused on research and one on communications, the two most important facets of the Foundation’s work. Although yet to be finalised, their roles are likely to include: Research: Oversee an annual call for projects, liaise with the […]