European rabbits are Australia’s most widespread and destructive environmental and agricultural vertebrate pest.

First arriving in Australia with the First Fleet, then deliberately released for hunting in the 1800’s, the rate of spread of the rabbit in Australia was the fastest of any colonising mammal anywhere in the world. They are now found in all states and territories, including several offshore islands.

Rabbits graze on native and introduced vegetation, crops and pastures. Rabbit grazing can prevent seedlings from regenerating and reduce crop yields, as well as increase competition for feed with livestock. Rabbits damage native plants and directly compete with native wildlife for food and shelter. Their digging and browsing leads to a loss of vegetation cover, which in turn can result in slope instability and soil erosion.

There are at least 304 Australian threatened species that may be adversely affected by competition and land degradation by rabbits.

Boosting rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release

Learn More

European rabbits in Australia - Biology & ecology Wild European rabbits typically have grey-brown back fur and a white-grey belly. Colour varies from sandy light brown, to ginger, black, and occasionally, white. Rabbits are characterised […]
Rabbit biocontrol in Australia: key facts - Key facts about the history of rabbits and rabbit biocontrol in Australia
Rabbit legislation in Australia - Introduction Wild European rabbits are one of Australia’s most widely distributed and abundant pest animal species. They cause severe damage to the natural environment as well as to agricultural production […]
Benefits of Rabbit Biocontrol in Australia - EUROPEAN RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are a severe continental-scale threat to Australia’s globally important biodiversity and agriculture. The extreme sensitivity of many native plant species to rabbit damage – as few […]
How to report rabbit numbers, disease and dead rabbits - In preparation for the release of RHDV1 K5, landholders and the community are being asked to lend a hand in developing baseline information about rabbit populations before the release, and […]
Rabbit – humaneness matrix - Matrix showing the relative humaneness of rabbit control methods. The ‘humaneness’ of a pest animal control method refers to the overall welfare impact that the method has on an individual […]
Purchasing RHDV1 K5 to control wild rabbits - Background Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has been used in Australia for more than 20 years to minimise the impacts of introduced European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on farming and the […]
Rollout of RHDV1 K5 in Australia: information guide - This booklet provides information on rabbit biocontrol in Australia and the RHD Boost project. It outlines how to get involved in the proposed release of RHDV1 K5 and where you can get further information.

Decision Support Systems for rabbit management - Tools to support decisions on funding allocation for rabbit management in public lands, & cost-benefits of alternative control protocols on primary production land
Pestsmart Rabbit Control Video Series - How to lay RHDV baits on your site The below video gives you information regarding the best practice techniques in how to achieve the best uptake of RHDV laced baits […]
Glovebox Guide for Managing Rabbits - Current information on best practice rabbit management for land managers, pest animal officers and others involved in the management of rabbits
Purchasing RHDV1 K5 to control wild rabbits - Background Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has been used in Australia for more than 20 years to minimise the impacts of introduced European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on farming and the […]
Planning landscape-scale rabbit control - Covers important factors to consider in developing community-based rabbit control programs within the framework of natural resource management boards and their equivalents
Rollout of RHDV1 K5 in Australia: information guide - This booklet provides information on rabbit biocontrol in Australia and the RHD Boost project. It outlines how to get involved in the proposed release of RHDV1 K5 and where you can get further information.
Warren ripping for rabbit control - Video demonstrating warren ripping using a single tyne ripper for rabbit control.
Fumigation for rabbit control - Fumigation is a valuable tool in successful rabbit management programs.
Using RHDV for rabbit control - Introduction Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), previously known as calicivirus or rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD), has been highly effective in reducing rabbit populations across most of Australia. The virus that causes […]
Rabbits: a threat to conservation and natural resource management - Quick assessment method to help you decide if rabbits are a problem and what action you need to take
Conventional Rabbit Control: Costs and Tips - Discusses the keys to long term successful rabbit control including warren ripping, costs of warren ripping, poisoning, fumigation, explosives and other control techniques
Historical and current impacts of rabbits – a farmers perspective - David Lord discusses the historical and current impacts of rabbits on farms, how important it is to act and how rabbit biological controls have played an important role.
Community led integrated rabbit management - Michael Reid, National Rabbit Facilitator, talks about the importance of community-led integrated rabbit management to protect productive landscapes.
Vertebrate Pesticides: An Australian Guide - This project has produced a publication containing relevant information on all the currently registered vertebrate pesticides in Australia
Monitoring techniques for vertebrate pests – Rabbits - The purpose of this manual is to provide details of the techniques available for monitoring rabbits in australia. By providing a step-by-step description of each technique, it will be possible […]
Warren and harbour destruction - Introduction A strategic rabbit control program that features warren and harbour destruction is the most cost-effective way to reduce rabbit populations and prevent ongoing damage, particularly when applied over large, […]

Standard Operating Procedures – rabbit control

RAB011: Bait delivery of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1) K5 strain - Background Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is used in Australia to minimise the impacts of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other available rabbit control […]
RAB004: Ground baiting of rabbits with pindone - Poisoning with pindone is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning with 1080, […]
RAB005: Diffusion fumigation of rabbit warrens - Fumigation of rabbit warrens is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning, warren […]
RAB006: Rabbit Warren destruction by ripping - Warren destruction by ripping is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning, warren […]
RAB007: Rabbit warren destruction using explosives - Warren destruction with explosives is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning, warren […]
RAB008: Trapping of rabbits using padded-jaw traps - The introduced European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has a significant impact on agricultural production and the environment. Rabbit control methods include poisoning, warren fumigation, warren and harbourage destruction, biological control with […]
RAB009: Ground shooting of rabbits - The introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has a significant impact on agricultural production and the environment. Rabbit control methods include poisoning, rabbit fumigation, warren and harbourage destruction, biological control with […]
RAB002: Ground baiting of rabbits with 1080 - Poisoning with 1080 is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning with pindone, […]
HAR001: Ground shooting of hares - The introduced European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is not regarded as a major pest of agriculture and the environment. However, in localised areas it can cause damage by eating crops, […]
GEN001: Methods of euthanasia - The word euthanasia means an easy death and should be regarded as an act of humane killing with the minimum of pain, fear and distress. Euthanasia of a range of […]
RAB003: Aerial baiting of rabbits with 1080 - Poisoning with 1080 is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning with pindone, […]
GEN003: Trapping using soft net traps - Soft net traps consist of a flexible metal frame and netting and/or bag which collapses over the animal when triggered. Soft net traps rely on entanglement to secure and hold […]
Model code of practice for the humane control of rabbits - The aim of this code of practice is to provide information and recommendations to vertebrate pest managers responsible for the control of rabbits. It includes advice on how to choose […]

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Videos

Pestsmart Rabbit Control Video Series - How to lay RHDV baits on your site The below video gives you information regarding the best practice techniques in how to achieve the best uptake of RHDV laced baits […]
Baiting with a baitlayer for rabbit control - Video discussing and demonstrating a baiting program for rabbit control
Fumigation with phostoxin for rabbit control - Video demonstrating the process of fumigation with phostoxin for rabbit control. Aspects such as equipment needed and process are covered.
Importance of rabbit biological control to livestock producers - Cameron Allan from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) talks about how important the investment in rabbit biological controls has been for the livestock industry.
Warren ripping for rabbit control - Video demonstrating warren ripping using a single tyne ripper for rabbit control.
Rabbit management and challenges – a farmer’s perspective - Sheep producer Susan Campbell talks about the rural and peri-urban challenges associated with the impact of rabbits in Australia
Genetic resistance, immunity and transmission of rabbit biocontrol - Video about genetic resistance, immunity and transmission associated with rabbit biological control in Australia
Historical and current impacts of rabbits – a farmers perspective - David Lord discusses the historical and current impacts of rabbits on farms, how important it is to act and how rabbit biological controls have played an important role.
Community led integrated rabbit management - Michael Reid, National Rabbit Facilitator, talks about the importance of community-led integrated rabbit management to protect productive landscapes.
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) boost project - Video about the potential in Australia of a new strain of RHD (rabbit haemorrhagic disease) virus, otherwise known as calicivirus, to manage rabbit populations.

Case studies

Case studies: Rabbit eradication on Australia’s offshore islands - Case study on the success of three rabbit eradication programs on Australian islands
Case study: Warren ripping on Thackaringa Station, western NSW - Case study on the effectiveness of warren ripping to control rabbits on a wool-producing property in far-west NSW
Case study: Bounceback — rabbit control in the Flinders Ranges - A case study on the effects of long-term, coordinated rabbit control on native plants and wildlife in the semi-arid Flinders region of South Australia
Case study: Effective rabbit control in pine-buloke woodlands - A case study comparing the effectiveness of two conventional, integrated rabbit control strategies in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

Research reports

Benefits of Rabbit Biocontrol in Australia - EUROPEAN RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are a severe continental-scale threat to Australia’s globally important biodiversity and agriculture. The extreme sensitivity of many native plant species to rabbit damage – as few […]
Planning landscape-scale rabbit control - Covers important factors to consider in developing community-based rabbit control programs within the framework of natural resource management boards and their equivalents
Maximising the potential of improved biological control for rabbits - Project to collect current information on the abundance of rabbits at select sites in WA
Rabbit Resurgence: Minimising Future Economic and Biodiversity Losses - Demonstrations of effective ways of combating rabbits would not only enable land managers to be better prepared to handle problems in the mallee but would also provide advance information for managers in adjoining areas where rabbits could increase in the future.
Victorian Rabbit Management Collaboration Initiative - Supports community-led action for more sustainable and effective rabbit management in Victoria
RHD-Boost. Import and evaluate new rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) variants to strengthen rabbit biocontrol - The RHD Boost project sought to identify new RHDV variants with superior lethality to rabbits with partial protection from endemic Australian Rabbit Calicivirus (RCV-A1) and immunity and/or genetic resistance to […]
The economic impacts of vertebrate pests in Australia. - Invasive animal pests have a wide variety of impacts on the economy, the environment and society. There is considerable information on these impacts for individual cases and regions, and McLeod […]
Vertebrate Pesticides: An Australian Guide - This project has produced a publication containing relevant information on all the currently registered vertebrate pesticides in Australia
Assessing invasive animals in Australia 2008 - Invasive animals cause enormous damage to Australia’s economy, environment and society. Assessing Invasive Animals in Australia 2008 presents, for the first time, consistent national information on the distribution and abundance […]
The role of rabbit and other invasive herbivore control in reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions - Controlling feral animals such as rabbits, goats and camels could provide a cost-effective contribution to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions targets while also generating important benefits for agricultural productivity, regional communities and the environment.
Counting the cost: impact of invasive animals in Australia, 2004 - Feral animals cost Australia in excess of $720 million per year. They cause catastrophic damage and threaten our landscape, agriculture and industries. This report estimates the economic, environmental and social […]