RFA has funded a novel project to help track the spread of rabbit viruses across Australia. It is now accepted that flies are a vector for the transmission of RHDV, thanks in part to former research by Amy Ianella which was also supported by RFA. Research has also shown that flies could be used as […]
Bruce Munday, author of RFA supported book ‘Those Wild Rabbits’, has been interviewed on ABC Radio National by Phillip Adams. To hear the interview online, visit the Radio National Late Night Live website.
The release of RHDV1-K5 across Australia has been hailed an early success, with wild rabbit deaths due to the virus now confirmed in all mainland States. Researchers are now waiting to see how effectively the virus is spread by natural vectors like flies, and if the immediate success will translate into dramatic drops in rabbit numbers, before calling the release ‘truly […]
Feral rabbits are beginning to die from RHDV1-K5 in Victoria, following the release of the virus at trial sites. Rabbits with the K5 calici strain have been detected near release sites at Tanybryn and Kaniva. For more information see the ABC News Report.
With so much happening at present regarding rabbit control, RFA has issued a timely reminder of the importance of strong, ongoing scientific effort. See the Foundation’s media statement for more information.
Can controlling rabbits control feral cats? The University of Tasmania is offering research opportunities in Tasmania, South Australia and New Zealand. For more information see NRM jobs.
As if snow gums didn’t have enough to contend with as temperatures rise, rabbits are now an additional pressure. Ken Green of Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service has discovered rabbits living above the winter snowline, by grazing on the leaves of snow gums regenerating after bushfires. To learn about theories on how rabbits have […]
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre has released an app to record sightings of diseased rabbits and to request a tissue sampling kit so the exact cause of the disease may be identified. The information generated through the app will help landholders and researchers understand where different rabbit diseases are occurring. To learn more about […]
A recent paper in the Rangeland Journal has concluded that attempts to preserve plant biodiversity by removing livestock are destined to fail in rabbit-grazed rangelands. The paper cites studies that show little evidence of grazing-sensitive plants finding refuge in water-remote areas (sites of low grazing pressure from livestock) – while plant biodiversity gradients are readily […]
Notes about the history of rabbits and biocontrols in Australia have been uploaded to the PestSmart website. For more information see the Key Facts.