Framework Fundamentals
‘Peri-urban’ areas are characterised by small properties, often with gardens and extensive areas of shelter and green feed, where rabbits’ home-range may spread across neighbouring properties. Options for rabbit control may be limited in these situations, and it can be difficult to gain support from across diverse communities.
Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia worked with rabbit managers across Australia in developing a framework to guide the design and implementation of effective peri-urban rabbit control programs.
A series of questions and checklists are the core of the Framework, which is structured as four steps.
The Framework addresses both the physical and social challenges of controlling rabbits in peri-urban areas. It incorporates the fundamentals of ‘best practice’ integrated rabbit control and applies adult learning and practice change theory to help people:
- Acknowledge the harm caused by rabbits,
- Accept ownership of the ‘rabbit problem’, and
- Plan and implement their solution.
Four steps to peri-urban rabbit control
The four-step process is:
- Assess: Understand and document the situation so control measures can be well-targeted and highly effective.
- Plan: Work through the issues and options with your community and document an agreed approach that best suits your situation.
- Manage: Put the plan into effect, from training and gathering resources or approvals, through in-field application, to continual monitoring and response as circumstances require.
- Evaluate: Reflect on the effectiveness of the plan and its implementation to revise and refocus it so optimal outcomes are maintained.
The Peri-Urban Rabbit Framework
For more information and examples, download the 8-page Peri-Urban Rabbit Framework: A guide to rabbit control.
For a summary and combined list of questions and checklists, download the 2-page Peri-Urban Rabbit Framework: 4 steps to control
For a handy worksheet of questions, tick-boxes and ‘ideas in action’, download Peri-Urban Rabbits Framework: Worksheet.
Visit pestSMART: European rabbits – for a complete toolkit for rabbit management
Visit Rabbit Sweep: Resource Catalogue for an easily searchable online catalogue of rabbit management resources.