Rabbit plague a costly burden

Karolin Macgregor
By Karolin Macgregor
Tasmanian Country
31 Jan 2025
rabbits

AN explosion in rabbit numbers across Tasmania is causing major issues for farmers in some parts of the state.

Over the last few months some areas have seen a huge increase in the rabbit population.

They are now causing significant damage to crops, pastures and infra structure in areas where numbers are high. 

TasFarmers president Ian Sauer said it was becoming a serious problem in some areas. “In the last three or four months more people are talking about rabbit numbers,” he said. 

“There are some areas like around Deloraine and a couple of pockets down south where there are reports the numbers are exploding.” Mr Sauer said in high number rabbits could be a costly pest.

“They are causing dam age in crops and pastures which they always do,” he said. 

“People are seeing them out during the daytime in high numbers.” “So, they are a significant cost impediment to the farmer. It is a problem and it’s like all pest animals whether it’s rabbits and wallabies or ducks and cockatoos it’s all a cost impediment the farmers have to bear.”

Unfortunately, while biological controls can be effective in controlling rabbit numbers Mr Sauer said at this time of the year there were few options. 

“Of course at this time of year the biological controls like calicivirus or mixo is not all that prevalent,” he said. 

“We have to wait for the cooler wetter months so we have to wait for the autumn so it’s matter of standing there tapping your fingers and gritting your teeth wanting some cooler weather for that to happen.”

Mr Sauer said a last year calicivirus was not able to be released.

“It just wasn’t available, and I think what it demonstrates is if you miss a year of the biological control it starts to get out of control very quickly,” he said.

“I think what we’re seeing now is a symptom of not being able to get hold of calicivirus lats year.”

In November Primary Industries and Water Minister Jane Howlett announced that the government had managed to secure some supplies of calicivirus. 

“The Tasmanian Government recognises the impacts introduced pest species like rabbits have on the natural environment and the effect that the national shortage of calicivirus has had on Tasmania,” Ms Howlett said. 

“Biosecurity Tasmania uses calicivirus to help manage wild rabbit populations, with calicivirus releases usually occurring during autumn when environmental conditions are favourable to ensure its effective use.” 

Ms Howlett said Biosecurity Tasmania would monitor conditions for a suitable time to release, however, it was unlikely that calicivirus releases can’t occur until autumn. 

“We thank the agriculture sector for their patience and engagement on this issue and Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to work closely with landowners,” she said. 

Meander Valley Mayor and farmer Wayne Johnston said rabbits had been an issue in some parts of the municipality for the past two years. “They don’t seem to have dissipated in some areas,” he said. 

“I know the golf course at Deloraine is suffering from the rabbits and private properties as well.” 

Mr Johnston said because most of the rabbits were on private property or state-owned land there was little council could do to control them. 

Some residents in the region have also started using ferrets as a way to help with the problem.

Mr Johnston said he was recently speaking to one resident who had caught more than 800 rabbits in the Mole Creek area over the past couple of years. 

Ms Howlett said Biosecurity Tas mania staff were available to work directly with farmers and the wider community to support their control of increased rabbit populations and to pro vide advice on alternative rabbit control strategies until calicivirus releases can be made.

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Comments

Robert Green

Shoot and eat 🤷🏻‍♂️, Mixo, calicivirus, and 1080 are cruel.

Robin enright

Given the chance with our ferrets and dogs we have good success on numerous farms at riana, Sheffield, Deloraine, sprent, wreath, east Devonport and kimberley