FERAL rabbit populations in Wilberforce and Ebenezer will be baited next month, so local authorities are warning pet rabbit owners to vaccinate their pets now.
Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services with the support of major landholders, Hawkesbury Council and environmental agencies, the program will see the release of the RHDV1-K5 variant of the virus, a form of calici virus.
Greater Sydney team leader Nicole Schembri said “earlier this year the new strain of RHDV was released due to its improved suitability to Australian conditions, in particular the cool-wet regions of Sydney”.
“This is the second release after the initial national release in March 2017 which led to a 42 per cent reduction in feral rabbit numbers across NSW. This follow up program ensures we can target new areas and support more landholders and local governments to minimise the impact of these pests.
“The virus is spread mainly by contact between rabbits or via insects such as mosquitoes and flies.” She said vaccinated rabbits were immune. The vaccine is called Cylap.
Feral rabbits do significant damage to the environment and farmland. They are believed to have contributed to the decline or extinction of a number of NSW native species including the greater bilby and the yellow footed rock-wallaby.
Overgrazing by feral rabbits is estimated to cost Australian agriculture more than $200 million a year.
What else can pet rabbit owners do?
The Department of Primary Industries recommends that rabbit owners take the following extra precautions:
- Prevent direct and indirect contact between domestic and wild rabbits.
- Avoid cutting grass and feeding it to rabbits if there is the risk of contamination from wild rabbits.
- Wash hands, with warm soapy water between handling rabbits.
- Good insect control will help reduce the risks of introduction of both RHDV and myxomatosis. Insect control could include insect proofing the hutch or keeping the rabbits indoors.
- Infected rabbits should be isolated and disposed of in a manner that will minimise environmental contamination.
- All cages and equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Disinfectants that can be used to decontaminate any equipment include 10% bleach, 10% sodium hydroxide, or parvocide disinfectants.
