New Virus to Control Rabbit Population at Least 10 Years Away

ABC Rural

Topic: Pests

Feral rabbit numbers are rising.

In short:

Good weather has led to many feral rabbits along the Victoria-New South Wales border.

Rabbits are causing damage on farms and in towns.

What's next?

Scientists say a new virus is needed to control the rabbits, but there is not enough money.

Australia's feral rabbit coordinator says it may be 10 years before a new virus is released.

Rabbit numbers are rising in south-east Australia due to good weather and food.

In the past, viruses like myxomatosis and calicivirus have helped control the rabbit population.

But the current virus is not working as well as it used to.

Rabbits can become resistant to viruses over time.

Feral rabbits cause around $200 million in damage each year.

Scientists are working on a new virus, but the money for the project has run out.

The CSIRO got $387.4 million in the budget, but it is not clear if any of it will go to the rabbit virus project.

Australia does not have a good system for funding long-term pest control projects.

Poison demand doubles

Biological control is a good way to manage feral rabbits, but other methods are still needed.

Conventional methods like baiting, ripping, and trapping are still used.

A lack of insects during dry weather has made it harder for viruses to spread.

Without insects, the viruses cannot spread and control the rabbit population.

The rabbits have been able to multiply in areas where they were not previously a problem.

Recent rain has helped the rabbits to thrive.

NSW Local Land Services has given out more poison bait to farmers this year.

Carrots with poison are being used to control feral rabbits on farms.

The demand for poison bait has doubled this year.

Around 9,000 kilograms of poison bait have been given out to landholders.

The poison bait is being used in areas like Holbrook and Jerilderie.

Heidi Kleinert says money is needed to develop a new rabbit virus.

Next virus at least 10 years away

New biocontrol agents are needed every 10 to 15 years to stay ahead of virus resistance.

With the current virus not working well and no money for a new one, there is concern about the impact.

Around $3 million is needed over the next three years to develop a new virus.

The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is talking to the government and private sector about funding.

Even if the money is found, the new virus is still years away.

The Bethanga Recreation Reserve has a large feral rabbit population.

The Federal Department of Agriculture says states and territories are responsible for managing wild rabbits.

The Australian government is spending $1.2 million on rabbit biocontrol research and management.

Rabbits have dug holes under the tennis court fence in Bethanga.

Rabbit-proof fence

A rabbit-proof fence is being considered for the sports oval in Bethanga.

The feral rabbits are causing safety hazards in Bethanga.

The holes dug by the rabbits are up to 6 centimeters deep.

A cricket player was hit in the forehead by a ball that deflected off a hole.

Joanne Sirl says the feral rabbit holes are a safety hazard.

Club members spend hours filling in the holes before cricket matches.

The club has looked at ways to protect the oval, including talking to Landcare and DECCA.

The holes in the Bethanga Recreation Reserve are up to 6cm deep.

The Bethanga Recreation Reserve is not alone in having a feral rabbit problem.

Professional harvesters have caught many rabbits at other grounds, but they come back.

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