A NEW viral weapon is being released in a bid to stop Australia’s worst ag and environmental pest spreading like, well, rabbits.
Federal, state and territory governments will oversee the release of a new strain of virus on wild rabbits at more than 600 sites across Australia from next month.
More than 200 community groups in NSW will be involved, with three intensive management sites near Orange, Gundagai and Hay.
Wild rabbits are seen as Australia’s most widespread - and costly - environmental and agricultural vertebrate pest animal, causing more than $200 million in lost farm production annually, threatening biodiversity, and affecting 304 nationally threatened plant and animal species.
NSW Central West senior biosecurity officer Rhett-Robinson lays out carrot laced with a new strain of wild rabbit virus. More than 200 community groups in NSW will be involved in the release of the new weapon, which aims to further halt the spread of wild rabbits.
The combination of myxoma virus and calicivirus currently limit wild rabbit populations to about 15 per cent of their potential numbers, but government says immunity and resistance have again become an issue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce said a two-year global search for a new strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) to boost the effectiveness of existing rabbit biocontrols, had delivered RHDV1 K5, a Korean strain.
Mr Joyce said research and industry bodies had worked hand-in-hand with government since 2014, screening 38 strains of RHDV, to identify an effective strain which could manage the wild rabbit populations.
Federal, state and territory governments have announced plans to unleash a new strain of virus on wild rabbits at more than 600 sites across Australia.
NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, said rabbits were universally recognised for their formidable reproduction powers.
“In just two years, two rabbits can multiply to 200 rabbits. In another two years their population could explode to 40,000,” Mr Blair said.
Given the short time between contracting the virus and the sudden death from rapid organ failure, RHDV1 continues to be one of the most humane control methods for rabbits.
Mr Blair encouraged NSW land managers to take advantage of the virus and follow up with conventional pest control to best manage rabbit impacts.
“Pet owners should vaccinate rabbits and consult a veterinarian for advice on how to protect their rabbits.”
National release of RHDV1 K5 has been delivered through the Invasive Animals CRC, with major financial and in kind resources provided by the Australian and NSW governments, CSIRO, Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and Foundation for Rabbit Free Australia.
LLS Biosecurity officer Annaliese Geddes and Senior Biosecurity officer Lee Parker prepping some carrots with the virus.
NSW release of RHDV1 K5
AS part of the national release at more than 600 sites, over 200 NSW-based community-led groups are managing the strategic release of the virus across NSW, with support from DPI and Local Land Services.
Three intensive management sites near Orange, Gundagai and Hay, linked with the community-led sites, will be managed and monitored by NSW DPI and Local Land Services.
The public is being urged to get involved by helping to track the spread of the by downloading the RabbitScan app.
Everyone can gather and report evidence of disease to assist land managers across Australia understand the movement of the virus.
To report sightings of rabbits or evidence of disease in your region visit www.rabbitscan.org.au or download via the iTunes or GooglePlay stores through searching for ‘FeralScan’ To keep up to date with progress of the RHDV1 K5 release visit www.healthierlandscapes.org.au.
Pet rabbit owners should seek advice
PET owners should contact a veterinarian for advice on how to protect their rabbits. Information is available from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) http://www.ava.com.au/rabbit-calicivirus The AVA advises rabbit owners vaccinate domestic rabbits and provide additional protection against the virus by keeping rabbits inside or in insect-proof enclosures.
