5 April 2013

Bunny Control!

| johnboy
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TAMS is warning they’re preparing an onslaught against fluffy bunnies!

A comprehensive rabbit control program is being undertaken across ACT parks and reserves, ACT Parks and Conservation Service Director, Daniel Iglesias, announced today.

The work, which will run through to early Winter, is part of a $150,000 ACT Government program to control rabbit populations in nature reserves in 2012-13.

“Since October last year, rabbit control work has been undertaken at numerous locations across Canberra and we are now undertaking follow-up work,” Mr Iglesias said.

“Southside locations include Callum Brae, Cooleman Ridge, Mt Mugga Mugga, Isaacs Ridge, Jerrabomberra Grasslands, Red Hill, Tuggeranong Hill, Mt Taylor and Urambi Hills Nature Reserves. Northside locations that have been targeted in the program include Mount Ainslie, Mount Majura, Mount Painter, The Pinnacle and Mulligans Flat Nature Reserves.”

Mr Iglesias said that the ACT Government is also commencing a program next Monday with the Australian National University, CSIRO, the Australian National Botanic Gardens and National Capital Authority to target increasing rabbit numbers across Acton peninsula. The program will run until Monday 6 May 2013.

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Watson said :

Interesting they don’t mention what this control program entails? I’m assuming they’re baiting them and infecting them with one of those horrible diseases?

I support eradicating rabbits but I am secretly glad that the spot I take my dog to to chase bunnies is not on the list.

Family planning counselling and birth control?

EvanJames said :

460cixy said :

I can’t see why they can’t be shot and used to feed dogs/cats at the RSPCA. Or even ppl. there good tucker I ping heaps of them

And there’s your answer. You ping heaps of them, and yet, somehow, there are still heaps. It’s been well established that shooting is not an effective way of controlling rabbit populations.

Calicivirus is still working, there’s reports of sick rabbits regularly. But now’s Pindone time. Pindone and habitat destruction should see some good short-term control. ACT Gov’t are good at this stuff, better than the clowns who play at it in NSW.

Give me 2 weeks of regular shooting with the air rifle & trapping on Tuggeranong hill & I could get the numbers down to nil.

The problem is, there is not enough action on rabbits. Yep, they will do this this week but what will they do for the next 10 years? Meanwhile, other areas are not particularly doing much about them either so the poulation builds again……

I would be happy to help, for a lot less that 150G & the by product could be used for all sorts of things.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd3:43 pm 05 Apr 13

INB4 FREDDY VEGAN

EvanJames said :

460cixy said :

I can’t see why they can’t be shot and used to feed dogs/cats at the RSPCA. Or even ppl. there good tucker I ping heaps of them

And there’s your answer. You ping heaps of them, and yet, somehow, there are still heaps. It’s been well established that shooting is not an effective way of controlling rabbit populations.

Calicivirus is still working, there’s reports of sick rabbits regularly. But now’s Pindone time. Pindone and habitat destruction should see some good short-term control. ACT Gov’t are good at this stuff, better than the clowns who play at it in NSW.

Please provide citation for:

1. “It’s been well established that shooting is not an effective way of controlling rabbit populations”
2. “Calicivirus is still working, there’s reports of sick rabbits regularly”

Additionally, I note you sate “ACT Gov’t are good at this stuff”, but you also state “yet, somehow, there are still heaps”.

460cixy’s point still stands, these rabbits are an underutilised resource which more can be done with (with positive outcomes), irrespective of attempts to turn this into a gun control debate.

460cixy said :

I can’t see why they can’t be shot and used to feed dogs/cats at the RSPCA. Or even ppl. there good tucker I ping heaps of them

And there’s your answer. You ping heaps of them, and yet, somehow, there are still heaps. It’s been well established that shooting is not an effective way of controlling rabbit populations.

Calicivirus is still working, there’s reports of sick rabbits regularly. But now’s Pindone time. Pindone and habitat destruction should see some good short-term control. ACT Gov’t are good at this stuff, better than the clowns who play at it in NSW.

460cixy said :

I can’t see why they can’t be shot and used to feed dogs/cats at the RSPCA. Or even ppl. there good tucker I ping heaps of them

+1

why not engage the ACT ferret club do some trapping, make some nice casserole and a few pairs of high quality gloves for the upcoming Canberra winter.

I can’t see why they can’t be shot and used to feed dogs/cats at the RSPCA. Or even ppl. there good tucker I ping heaps of them

It will be fumigation and poisoning. Most wild rabbit populations are now heavily resistant to calicivirus if it has been released to the area at any time in the past.

neanderthalsis said :

But bunnies will be a valuable food source in the post Korean nuclear apocalypse due sometime next week.

I would happily take a few for the pot before they start baiting/infecting them.

+1 Love a good rabbit stew.

neanderthalsis11:20 am 05 Apr 13

But bunnies will be a valuable food source in the post Korean nuclear apocalypse due sometime next week.

I would happily take a few for the pot before they start baiting/infecting them.

The methods are likely to include: fumigation of warrens, pindone poison, calicivirus and shooting – all are dependent on location. Aranda reserve was lousy with the things but calici has gone through there and I’ve heard of a few pet rabbits being cross infected – as once it is introduced it is spread by fleas and mozzies. If you live in an area where they are doing control and have pet rabbits or kids do they can be vaccinated. House rabbits seem to be quite popular in Canberra – if you don’t mind your skirting boards getting eaten 🙂

Interesting they don’t mention what this control program entails? I’m assuming they’re baiting them and infecting them with one of those horrible diseases?

I support eradicating rabbits but I am secretly glad that the spot I take my dog to to chase bunnies is not on the list.

Using the children to draw all the Easter bunnies out, then killing them all! Good baiting program.

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