First confirmed case of K5
CSIRO have confirmed the first death of a wild rabbit due to the K5 strain of RHDV1. For more information, see the ABC News story.
Landline explains – RHDV
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.
Call to support research
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.
High hopes for wild rabbit control
PIRSA, NRM and Landcare groups across South Australia are part of a national release of the RHDV1-K5 virus and there are high hopes it will be effective in high rainfall country. Researchers will monitor rabbit populations at trial release sites, and landholders are urged to take advantage of any drop in rabbit numbers with ground […]
Prepare now for RHDV1 K5
Landholders and pet rabbit owners alike are being urged to prepare for the March, 2017 release of the K5 strain of RHDV1 (calici virus), at over 600 sites across Australia. Vaccination of pet rabbits is recommended, while landholders can visit the Healthier Landscapes website for advice and tools to optimize the benefits of K5 in […]
Rabbits raid $1million of lettuces
A family of feral bunnies can eat $1 million worth of lettuce in a year, and that is why producers in the Lockyer Valley are supporting the Darling Downs Moreton Rabbit Board in a control program. For more information see the Rural Weekly interview with Dr David Berman.
PhD opportunity. Ferals and Food Webs.
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.
Predator Free NZ
Plans have been announced for New Zealand to be predator free by 2050. The initial targets will be rats, possums and stoats. The news has been widely welcomed, although some have cautioned about the need for integrated programs to avoid unintended ecological changes. For more information, see Rabbit Free New Zealand.
Rabbits add pressure on snow gums
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 […]
Phone app to help monitor rabbit disease
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 […]