Summer rabbit control for the Yorke District
As summer approaches and available green feed dries up, rabbits will become more evident around coastal towns, tended gardens and watered areas such as lawns and ovals. This is an ideal time of year to commence a summer rabbit baiting program.
Community groups and landholders are being urged to take advantage of the final round of funding from the Australian Government currently available to control rabbits across Yorke Peninsula.
Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Team Leader – Landscapes Max Barr said that Natural Resources Northern and Yorke district staff were working together with industry and community to undertake a 3-pronged landscape scale rabbit control program.
“The first prong is a passive approach, taking advantage of the biocontrol Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Viruses (RHDV1 and RHDV2) that are currently in the Peninsula’s environment and will filter through rabbit populations naturally.
“Secondly, landholders and community groups wishing to conduct rabbit baiting programs over summer can obtain pre-made rabbit bait from their local rural supply stores at a subsidised rate,” Mr Barr said.
“Finally, a targeted release of the RHDV-K5 is planned for April 2017 in conjunction with the Invasive Species Control and Research Centre and community in predefined areas.”
In 2015 over 100 people were involved in the program and a joint effort is required for successful rabbit control in the Yorke District.
The introduction of the European rabbit has had a profound impact on agricultural production and biodiversity in Australia, including much of the Northern and Yorke region.
These impacts include soil erosion, crop and pasture losses and the destruction of native vegetation and habitat for our wildlife.
This project is supported by the Northern and Yorke NRM Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
For details of participating rural supply stores, please contact Natural Resources Northern and Yorke on 8841 3400.