Rabbit numbers to be reduced with virus strain

As part of the City of Greater Geraldton’s rabbit control program, a strain of rabbit haemorrhagic virus has been released this week in Chapman River Regional Park.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ross McKim said controlling feral rabbits is essential to supporting revegetation works and preserving natural areas for future generations.

“The Chapman River Wildlife Corridor is one of the few remaining quality stands of remnant vegetation in the area and we need to protect it from these feral animals,” he said.

“Feral rabbits are costly issues for landholders and control of their population is essential to reducing their grazing impact on native vegetation.

“For the first time in 20 years, a new rabbit biocontrol agent is being released into the Geraldton area and we are hoping it will help get rabbit numbers under control.”

The RHDV1 K5 virus being released  is a strain of the existing virus already widespread in Australia, commonly known as calicivirus. Once the virus is introduced, it will spread via flies and mosquitoes into surrounding areas.

The K5 strain is expected to assist current management practices with an expected reduction of 40% of the population. This is why additional follow up measures such as warren ripping are so important to maximise the effect of the virus release.

The virus does not affect dogs, cats or any other animal other than rabbits. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian for advice on how to protect their domesticated/pet rabbits, with online information available from the Australian Veterinary Association www.ava.com.au/rabbit-calicivirus

Landholders and other community members can report sightings of rabbits or evidence of disease through the Rabbit Scan online portal www.rabbitscan.org.au