New virus to control surging rabbit population at least 10 years away

Feral rabbit numbers are on the rise. (ABC News) Optimal seasonal conditions have led to a boom in feral rabbit numbers along the Victoria-New South Wales border. The rabbits are causing damage on farms, in towns and on sports ovals. Scientists say a new deadly virus release to help suppress numbers is needed, but funding is running out. Link copiedShareShare articleAustralia's feral rabbit coordinator has warned it could be at least another 10 years before the nation releases a new virus strain to manage the pests. Rabbit numbers are on the rise across south-east Australia, as recent rain provides more feed and ideal breeding conditions. The deliberate release of deadly viruses, such as myxomatosis in the 1950s and calicivirus in recent years, has helped subdue populations. But national feral rabbit management coordinator Heidi Kleinert, with the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS), said the effectiveness of the current virus, first released nine years ago, was waning. "Rabbits often get genetic resistance, and that builds up in the population over time," she said. Pest rabbits cause an estimated $200 million in damage a year. (Supplied: Centre for Invasive Species Solutions) Ms Kleinert said CSIRO scientists were working on a new virus, but funding for the program ended this year. The CSIRO received $387.4 million in the federal budget announced on Tuesday night, but it is not yet clear if the funds will be used to extend the rabbit virus project. "Our policy challenge is that Australia doesn't currently have a national funding model that enables long-term investment into pest management and biocontrol," Ms Kleinert said. Biological control is an effective large-scale management option for feral rabbits, but those dealing with the problem say conventional methods are still needed. "It's not the silver bullet," said John Nolan, invasive species team leader with New South Wales agency Murray Local Land Services. "It works well when it works, but we certainly go back to our mainstream control options, which are usually baiting, ripping, fumigating and trapping." Mr Nolan said a drop in the number of flies, mosquitoes and fleas during recent dry conditions had also affected virus transmission. "With no insects, it stopped the spread of these biological controls," he said. "[That] allowed a lot of the rabbits to get going in areas where we don't traditionally do control or have problems. "We had dry conditions and then had a bit of [rain] in late summer, which spurred [the rabbits] on." NSW Local Land Services has doubled the amount of rabbit bait it is providing to farmers this year. (Supplied: NSW LLS) Carrots laced with poison are being used to deal with feral rabbits on farms in the region. Mr Nolan said the demand for the bait had doubled this year, compared to the previous two years. "We have issued around 9,000 kilograms of poison bait product to landholders," he said. "Especially around Holbrook, the Upper Murray, north of Swan Hill, Moulamein and Jerilderie." Heidi Kleinert says funding is needed for the development of a new strain of rabbit virus. (Supplied: Heidi Kleinert) CISS and the CSIRO said new biocontrol agents needed to be released every 10 to 15 years to stay on top of virus resistance. With a new virus due now and funding for the current CSIRO program running out, Ms Kleinert is concerned about the impact. CISS said $3 million is needed over the next three years to continue developing a new virus strain. "We are talking to the states and territories and the federal government, as well as the private sector, about helping to invest in the [project]," Ms Kleinert said. But even if funding is continued, she said the new virus was still years away. "To get from concept to a release program is 10 years, so if we do get money … we are looking at 2036 before the next virus is available," she said. Bethanga Recreation Reserve is home to a large feral rabbit population. (ABC Rural: Annie Brown) A spokesperson for the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said "states and territories and landholders are primarily responsible for on-ground management of wild rabbits". "The Australian government is investing $1.2 million to support rabbit biocontrol research, the national rabbit disease monitoring program, and the national rabbit management coordinator program," the spokesperson said. Rabbits have dug holes under the tennis court fence in Bethanga. (ABC Rural: Annie Brown) In Bethanga, in north-east Victoria, the feral rabbit problem is getting so bad that a rabbit-proof fence is being considered for the town's sports oval. Bethanga Recreation Reserve president Joanne Sirl said the animals are causing safety hazards. "Just looking around the ground, you can see many holes … [it] makes it very dangerous for people — cricket players, joggers, small children," she said. Ms Sirl said some of the holes were up to 6 centimetres deep. "We h

New virus to control surging rabbit population at least 10 years away

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