Rabbit owners urged to protect pets from new biological control
23 October 2017
New calicivirus strain earmarked for Tweed
Rabbit owners in the Tweed are being advised to take precautions to protect their pets from a new calicivirus strain that could soon be used to control rabbit numbers in the area.
“The new strain, RHDV1 K5, was first released nationally as a biological control in February 2017 and may be released in the Tweed in late November,” Council Coordinator Natural Resource Management, Jane Lofthouse, said.
“Council strongly urges residents with pet rabbits to have them vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce the chances of their rabbit catching the virus.”
A researcher on calicivirus vaccination, Victorian Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell, has advised the current vaccine was expected to provide good protection against all strains of the RHDV1 virus, including the K5 strain. However, the recommended vaccination frequency is now every six months, instead of every 12 months.
Ms Lofthouse said: “Owners can also protect their pet rabbits against the virus by ensuring their pets do not come into contact with wild rabbits or eat grass that has been grazed on by wild rabbits.
“The virus can be transmitted by fleas, mosquitoes and flies, so try to ensure hutches are insect-proof.”
Rabbits reproduce rapidly in the wild and compete with livestock and wildlife for food and water. They damage gardens, dig warrens, cause erosion, and undermine buildings and other infrastructure.
“Wild rabbits in the Tweed include the European wild rabbit and escaped or dumped free-living domestic rabbits,” she said.
“Rabbits are increasingly becoming an urban issue as domestic rabbits escape or are deliberately released. Free-living populations are known in Chinderah, South Kingscliff, Casuarina, Koala Beach, Bilambil Heights, Tumbulgum, Condong, Murwillumbah, Tyalgum and Limpinwood.
“Residents report that rabbits are damaging gardens, undermining house footings, destroying house termite barriers and bringing wild dogs, foxes and brown snakes closer to human habitation.”
Some Tweed Shire residents have been feeding free-living rabbits that, while not a pet, have become quite tame. Council has rabbit cage traps for loan for residents who wish to trap tame rabbits. The Rabbit Sanctuary will take these rabbits and prepare them for rehoming. For more information see the Rabbit Sanctuary Facebook page or website www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/.
For more information on the release of the biological control, please contact Amy Hockings at North Coast Local Land Services on (02) 6623 3906.