Advice for Sydney pet rabbit owners
In response to increased wild rabbit populations across the Sydney Basin, the Urban Feral Animal Action Group has decided to release Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) in the Sydney north region in late March to curtail the growing population.
As RHDV also affects domestic rabbits, owners of pet rabbits should consult with their vet and maintain a vaccination program to protect them.
Steve Parker, Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority ranger, says the release will be coordinated by the Cumberland LHPA with assistance from the local councils and the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
"RHDV can be utilised as a very effective control tool where there are susceptible populations of wild rabbits. In cases where there are rabbits around urban areas, traditional control using poisons, fumigants or shooting are restricted due to increased risks," Mr Parker said.
"The virus is mainly spread by contact between rabbits, and by insects transporting the virus to other locations where rabbits are prevalent. Given that this summer has been extremely wet, insect vectors are very plentiful which should enhance the spread of the virus.
"The only way to protect pet rabbits is to have them vaccinated, which owners should do as soon as possible to ensure the vaccine is fully effective."
Mr Parker said release sites are selected based on rabbit density, geographic location, accessibility and suitability as a release site. The releases are also timed to obtain the most benefit when there is the highest likelihood of effectiveness.
"We conduct an annual program monitoring for the presence of RHDV antibodies in wild rabbits. Our monitoring conducted in January revealed very low immunity to RHDV, which suggests that a release of RHDV in autumn would be effective," Mr Parker said.
"The last two releases of RHDV resulted in about a 50 per cent reduction of rabbits in the Sydney Basin."
In NSW wild rabbits are a declared pest animal responsible for major agricultural and environmental damage. It has been estimated that the overall economic impact of pest animals is $740 million annually.
The Urban Feral Animal Action Group is compromised of representatives from the Cumberland LHPA, DECCW, National Parks and Service Wildlife, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Industry and Investment NSW, Forests NSW and several local councils.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378