Coordination key to rabbit control

News article | 31 July 2019

The coordinated control of European rabbits through best management practise and biological control RHDV1-K5 will be the focus of two open workshops at Cleve and Port Lincoln in August hosted by Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula and PIRSA Biosecurity SA.

The coordinated control of European rabbits through best management practice and biological control RHDV1-K5 will be the focus of two open workshops at Cleve and Port Lincoln in August hosted by Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula and PIRSA Biosecurity SA.

Natural Resources Officer Ben Tucker said while the focus of these workshops will be on the biological control the success of the release will only be achieved through a coordinated effort and vigilant, timely actions.

“We are hoping to get as many land managers to these workshops as we can to maximise and coordinate the area that we are able to release RHDV1-K5 across on Eyre Peninsula. It will be a great opportunity for land managers to network and chat with others about any rabbit issues that they have had previously, or are experiencing currently,” Ben said.

“Land managers considering being involved will understand that K5 is not a silver bullet solution to the rabbit problem and that follow-up work is a must for best results. The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board has purchased 100 vials for distribution across the region – these and the workshops are funded under the Australian Government’s Managing Established Pest Animals and Weeds Program so we are looking for committed land managers to assist with works pre and post our intended September release date. Measuring the effectiveness of the release is important, as well as site-specific tailored actions such as application of 1080 or pindone baiting and warren management.”

PIRSA Biosecurity SA’s Rabbit Control Coordinator, Josh Rosser, said the coordination of broad scale control programs has proven to be a vital component towards landscape scale success against the pest.

“Already there have been some positive results where producers and landholders have formed groups to create broader control areas,” Josh said. The forthcoming series of educational workshops covering all aspects of rabbit control, will also include individualised support, information and advice on the right mix of best practice management to suit the local area. Before commencing any rabbit control program, Mr Rosser advised landholders and producers to consider using all available control tools rather than just relying on bio controls and to ensure that as many rabbits as possible are exposed to as many different control methods as possible.

Eyre Peninsula rabbit control workshops details: