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 […]
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.- RabbitScan – an essential part of the Rabbit Management Toolbox - RabbitScan is helping the Bellarine community to map rabbit warrens and hotspots of activity
Federal Parliament passes Amendment to biological control legislation - There is now certainty around the use of viruses in controlling pests, such as the European Rabbit and Carp, after an Amendment to the Biological Control Act 1984 was unanimously […]
Wildlife research highlights need for long-term rabbit biocontrol strategy - A number of Australian threatened small mammals making a comeback in the South Australian desert due to ongoing rabbit management, including biocontrol.
Proposed release for new rabbit virus - The national release of RHDV1-K5 is now likely to take place in Spring 2016 or Autumn 2017 pending outcomes of approvals, consultation and further scientific advice. 
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.
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.
Genetic resistance, immunity and transmission of rabbit biocontrol - Video about genetic resistance, immunity and transmission associated with rabbit biological control in Australia
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.
Baiting with a baitlayer for rabbit control - Video discussing and demonstrating a baiting program for rabbit control
Fumigation with carbon monoxide for rabbit control - Video on the development of a carbon monoxide fumigation unit 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.
New national plan stays hop, skip & jump ahead of rabbits - Australia’s long-running battle with the feral rabbit has entered a new phase, with the release for public comment of an updated national plan to tackle this major environmental pest.- Rabbit biocontrol in Australia: key facts - Key facts about the history of rabbits and rabbit biocontrol in Australia
Help boost Australia’s rabbit biocontrol action - Landholders, farmers, community groups, councils and everyone across the country has been invited to express their interest to participate in the final stages of the research to support the release of K5.
RHDV1 K5: What about my pet rabbit? - The currently registered vaccine is likely to continue to protect pet rabbits against this disease after release of K5
Boosting Rabbit Control - Creating healthier landscapes by boosting rabbit control in Australia
What is RHD Boost? - RHD Boost is a national project involving the roll out of a new naturally occurring overseas strain of rabbit calicivirus called RHD K5
RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) - All your key questions about RHD Boost and the proposed release of the new RHDV K5 strain answered.- Factsheet: RHDV-2 in Australia and implications for current rabbit biocontrol initiatives - Researchers have discovered several different strains or variants of RHDV, but not all have the same effect on wild rabbits in Australia.
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
CABI: Invasive Species Compendium - Online encyclopaedic resource that draws together scientific information on all aspects of invasive species (plant and animal) worldwide
You little ripper… Rabbit Leadership Program - Participants from across Victoria and Tasmania in three day course to learn about rabbit management
Australia’s worst Christmas present not helping in reducing emissions - Given our current commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, controlling these invasive pests could become ‘Santa’s little helper’ in reducing emissions
Case studies: Rabbit eradication on Australia’s offshore islands - Case study on the success of three rabbit eradication programs on Australian islands
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
Fumigation for rabbit control - Fumigation is a valuable tool in successful rabbit management programs.
RHD Boost – Enhancing RHDV effectiveness - Research is underway to evaluate alternative RHDV strains and how they could be safely and effectively released in Australia.
Warren ripping for rabbit control - Video demonstrating warren ripping using a single tyne ripper for rabbit control.
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, […]
Poison baiting for rabbit control - Introduction Poison baiting is often a logical first step in an integrated program of rabbit management. However, if used alone, baiting provides only short-term control and is therefore best used as a means […]
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 […]
Economic and environmental impacts of rabbits in Australia - Introduction The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a serious environmental and agricultural pest throughout Australia. Rabbits can have considerable impacts on farm productivity and native ecosystems, leading to financial loss and environmental devastation1. The community […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 and technical reports
- Maximising the potential of improved biological control for rabbits - Project to collect current information on the abundance of rabbits at select sites in WA
- Vertebrate Pesticides: An Australian Guide - This project has produced a publication containing relevant information on all the currently registered vertebrate pesticides in Australia
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 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.- 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
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 […]- 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 […]
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 […]
Last updated: November 10, 2015
PestSmart Connect is a toolkit of information on best practice pest animals management in Australia.
