Why Old Rabbit Viruses Are Failing and Rabbits Are Flooding Albany Golf Course

General manager Dan Northcott told reporters that the rabbit problem has become obvious on the course, saying, "They've doubled, if not tripled, over the last two years," and that staff are spending many hours repairing damage caused by the animals.

For decades Australia has relied on two viruses to keep rabbit populations in check: myxomatosis, introduced in the 1950s, and calicivirus, which replaced it in the 1990s. Both were once very effective, but recent observations show they are losing their power to control the pests.

Cranbrook farmer Lewis Miller explained that the rabbits are now developing resistance, stating, "They've just got this immunity that's built up over time, and their numbers are gradually increasing again," and he now sees dozens of warrens across his 3,000‑hectare property.

The surge is not just a local issue. Senior advocate James Johnston warned that the nation is approaching "plague level proportions" of rabbits not seen since the 1990s, adding, "We are behind the eight ball on rabbit biocontrol in this country." In response, the federal government has allocated $2.6 million in the 2026 budget for a new rabbit biocontrol study.

Experts say the situation highlights a gap in Australia’s feral‑animal strategy: viruses need to be refreshed every 10 to 15 years because rabbits breed fast enough to overcome old controls. Ongoing research aims to develop the next generation of biocontrol tools to protect golf courses, farms, and natural habitats.

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