The importance of rabbit control to aid bushland regeneration after fires has been stressed by the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia, through the media and correspondence with government. Rabbits selective grazing threatens the re-emergence of some plant species and, after fires, there are likely to be fewer predators around – yet warrens are more exposed. The […]
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 […]
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy continues to protect Bilby habitat and promote the recovery of wild populations of Bilbies, through their efforts in conjunction with partners such as Queensland’s Parks and Forests. To learn more about the AWC program and Greater Bilbies in general, see the AWC Wildlife Matters article on ‘Australia’s ecosystem engineer: the Greater […]
Rabbits negatively impact more threatened species in Australia than does any other invasive species, according to the Threatened Species Recovery Hub. Over 300 threatened native species are at increased risk due to rabbits – more than from any other invasive species. For more information, see the report by Kearney et.al (2018) in Pacific Conservation Biology […]
Reduced rabbit populations since the introduction of the Calici virus are a factor in the recovery of the Crest-tailed Mulgara. Thought to be extinct in NSW, Mulgara have been found in Sturt National Park. Reductions in rabbit populations have been linked with increased ground cover, benefiting the species. For more information, see the University of […]
Fresh insights into all things RFA are available in the Chairman’s Reports, from May and August, 2017.
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 […]
Greg Mutze (PIRSA researcher) explains the different variants of RHDV and how the release of RHDV1-K5 is managed. See the Landline interview with Prue Adams at the 19 minute mark of the February 26th episode on ABC TV.
Ferrets can still be a valued part of rabbit control – and they make good pets, according to ferret fancier Warren Bettridge. Click to see the article from The Land.
Advice for landholders to control rabbits while their numbers are low after a dry summer. Port Lincoln Times article from Eyre Peninsula NRM