🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 152 (from laksa032)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa152.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia","crawl_time":1773262194,"first_indexed_time":1376005694,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,wikipedia!en,\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia s443","src_root_hash":"17790707453426894952","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Rabbits in Australia - Wikipedia","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"A European rabbit in\nTasmania\nEuropean rabbits\n(\nOryctolagus cuniculus\n) were first introduced to\nAustralia\nin the 18th century with the\nFirst Fleet\n, and later became widespread, because of\nThomas Austin\n.\n[\n1\n]\nSuch wild rabbit populations are a serious\nmammalian\npest\nand\ninvasive species\nin Australia causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops. Their spread may have been enhanced through the emergence of strong crossbreeds.\nVarious methods in the 20th century have been attempted to control the Australian rabbit population. Conventional methods include shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, but these had only limited success. From 1901 to 1907, a\nrabbit-proof fence\nwas built in\nWestern Australia\nin an unsuccessful attempt to contain the rabbits.\n[\n2\n]\n[\n3\n]\nThe\nmyxoma virus\n, which causes\nmyxomatosis\n, was introduced into the rabbit population in the 1950s and had the effect of severely reducing the rabbit population. However, the survivors have since adapted and partially recovered their previous numbers. Domesticated rabbits are banned as pets in the state of\nQueensland\n.\n[\n4\n]\nAlfred, Duke of Edinburgh\n, rabbit shooting at\nBarwon Park\n, Victoria in the 1860s\nRabbits were first introduced to Australia by the\nFirst Fleet\nin 1788.\n[\n5\n]\nThey were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in\nTasmania\n, a newspaper article noted \"...the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony\" i.e.,\nNew South Wales\n(NSW).\n[\n6\n]\nThis clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, \"... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures...\" He also noted the scrubby, sandy rubble between Sydney and\nBotany Bay\nwould be ideal for farming rabbits.\n[\n7\n]\nEnclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by\nAlexander Macleay\nat\nElizabeth Bay House\n, \"a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game.\"\n[\n8\n]\nIn the 1840s, rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nIn 1857–1858,\nAlexander Buchanan\n, overseer for\nF. H. Dutton's\nAnlaby Estate\nin the Mid-North of\nSouth Australia\n, released a number of rabbits for hunting sport. Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866, presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and protected from poachers by an Act of Parliament, but by 1867 was out of control.\n[\n9\n]\nThe\npopulation explosion\nwas ascribed to the disappearance of native predators, but the emergence of a hardier breed by\nnatural selection\nhas subsequently been attributed to their spread.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nA load of rabbit skins,\nNorthern Tablelands\n, New South Wales\nThe current infestation appears to have originated with the release of at least 13 wild rabbits\n[\n10\n]\nby\nThomas Austin\nfor\nhunting\npurposes in October 1859, on his property,\nBarwon Park\n, near\nWinchelsea\n, Victoria and by 1866, the Geelong Advertiser reported 50,000 having been killed by hunters.\n[\n11\n]\nWhile living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. At the time, he had stated, \"The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting\".\n[\n12\n]\nWilliam could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon Park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were much more suited to Australian conditions.\n[\n13\n]\nMany other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nThe rabbits were extremely prolific and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that might otherwise have been scrub or woodlands were, instead, turned into vast areas with low vegetation, creating ideal habitats for rabbits.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nIn a classic example of\nunintended consequences\n, rabbits had become so prevalent within 10 years of their introduction in 1859 that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nAlthough the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved useful to many people during the depressions of the 1890s and\n1930s\nand during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers,\nstockmen\n, and\nstationhands\nby providing food and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to\nworking dogs\nand boiled to be fed to poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcasses were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the\nfelt-hat industry\n.\n[\n14\n]\nEffects on Australia's ecology\n[\nedit\n]\nThe erosion of a gully in South Australia caused by rabbits overgrazing\nSince their introduction from Europe in the 19th century, the effect of rabbits on the ecology of Australia has been devastating. They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia.\n[\n15\n]\nRabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning\novergrazing\n. The rabbits would first deplete the natural pasture vegetation, and would then resort to consuming woody vegetation, which included small shrubs, and the leaves and bark of trees.\n[\n15\n]\nThe extent of plant species' loss is unknown at this time, though rabbits are known to often kill young trees in orchards, forests, and on properties by\nringbarking\nthem.\n[\n14\n]\nRabbits are also responsible for serious\nerosion\nproblems, as they eat native plants, leaving the\ntopsoil\nexposed and vulnerable to sheet, gully, and wind erosion. The removal of this topsoil is devastating to the land, as it takes many hundreds of years to regenerate.\n[\n16\n]\nBy 1887, losses from rabbit damage compelled the New South Wales government to offer a\n£\n25,000 reward, equivalent to\nA$\n3.9\n \nmillion\nin 2022, for \"any method of success not previously known in the Colony for the effectual extermination of rabbits\".\n[\n17\n]\nThe commission received 1,456 suggestions, including several schemes involving biological controls (see below), but none was found to be both safe and effective.\n[\n18\n]\nA\nRoyal Commission\nwas held to investigate the situation in 1901. Once the problem was understood, various control methods were tried to limit or reduce the population of rabbits in Australia. These methods had limited success until the introduction of biological control methods in the latter half of the 20th century.\nCommon control measures\n[\nedit\n]\nAn old poison cart, which distributed poisoned\nbaits\nto kill rabbits, Woolbrook, NSW\nShooting rabbits is one of the most common control methods and can successfully be used to keep already-low populations in check while providing food for people or pets, though it is ineffective for large-scale eradication.\nDestroying warrens through ripping (a procedure wherein rabbits are dismembered or buried alive as a bulldozer dragging sharp\ntines\nis driven over their warrens or burrows),\n[\n19\n]\nploughing, blasting, and fumigating is widely used, especially on large farms (known as \"stations\"). The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation.\nPoisoning\nis probably the most widely used of the conventional techniques, as it requires the least effort and is capable of destroying a local population, though reinfestation given the mobility of the animal is almost inevitable. Laying baits of\npollard\nlaced with a\nphosphorus\n-based poison,\n[\n20\n]\nsuch as \"S.A.P.\" manufactured by\nSayers, Allport & Potter\n, was an early method. The advantage of phosphorus is that in dry weather, assuming it has not been laid in clumps (obviated by use of a poison cart), it soon degrades to innocuous\nphosphoric acid\nand presents no further danger to livestock or pets. It does, however, present a real fire risk, and concentrated fumes can be toxic to operators.\n[\n21\n]\nMore modern poisons for rabbit control are\nsodium fluoroacetate\n(\"1080\") and\npindone\n.\n[\n22\n]\nAnother technique is hunting using\nferrets\n, wherein ferrets are deployed to chase the rabbits out to be shot or into nets set over the burrows. Since the number of rabbits ferrets can kill is limited,\n[\n23\n]\nthis is more a hunting activity than a serious control method. Although ferrets and other mustelid species are used as control measures, Australia has significantly fewer wild mustelids to prey on the invasive rabbits while in their warrens or burrows compared to Europe and the United States.\n[\n24\n]\nHistorically, trapping was also frequently used; steel-jawed leg-holding traps were banned in most states in the 1980s on animal-cruelty grounds, though trapping continues at a lower level using rubber-jawed traps. All of these techniques are limited to working only in settled areas and are quite labour-intensive.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nImpact of rabbit-proof fence, Cobar, New South Wales, 1905\nRing-fencing can be highly effective way of providing a rabbit-free area. In the 1880s,\nJames Moseley\nringed Coondambo Station with wire netting and fenced off the watercourses; at the first heatwave, the rabbits perished of thirst. Shortly after 1900, he fenced off the deserted Yardea, Paney, Pondana, Yarloo, and Thurlga stations in the\nGawler Ranges\nwith 150 miles (240 km) of wire netting, turning them within a few years from degraded land overrun with rabbits into a profitable sheep run.\n[\n25\n]\nWell-known modern examples, which also exclude foxes, dogs, and cats are\nWarrawong\nand\nYookamurra\nwildlife sanctuaries, pioneered by\nJohn Wamsley\n.\nTwo well-known examples of much more extensive fences are:\nIn July 1884,\nErnest James Stevens\n, a member of the\nQueensland Legislative Assembly\n, proposed that the\nQueensland government\nerect a fence to prevent the infestation of rabbits in New South Wales from spreading into Queensland (his\nLogan electorate\nbeing very close to the New South Wales border).\n[\n26\n]\nGate in the Rabbit Fence at Stanthorpe, Queensland, 1934\nIn 1893, a\nrabbit-proof fence\nwas commenced in\nQueensland\n. It was progressively extended through the years. In 1997, a final segment was built connecting it to the\nDingo Fence\n. It extends from\nMount Gipps\n(near\nRathdowney\n) to\nGoombi\nbetween\nChinchilla\nand\nMiles\n.\n[\n27\n]\nThe No. 1 rabbit-fence in Western Australia (1926)\nFrom 1901 to 1907, the\nrabbit-proof fence\nwas built in Western Australia between\nCape Keraudren\nand\nEsperance\nto try to control the spread of the rabbit population from the east into Western Australian pastoral areas. Given that\nEuropean rabbits\ncan both jump very high and burrow underground,\n[\n28\n]\na perfectly intact fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres, and whose gates farmers or graziers did not leave open for livestock or machinery, was still unlikely to succeed.\n[\ncitation needed\n]\nAs such, the Number 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence, which was erected in 1901, failed to keep the rabbit population away from the protected area.\n[\n29\n]\nEven after this large scale fence had failed, smaller scale fencing projects continued to make a successful appearance.\n[\n24\n]\nBiological measures\n[\nedit\n]\nMyxomatosis control trial, 1952\nReleasing rabbit-borne diseases has proven somewhat successful in controlling the population of rabbits in Australia, but such success as has been achieved did not occur as quickly as was hoped.\nAn offer by the New South Wales government of a £25,000 reward for a biological control of rabbits attracted the attention of\nLouis Pasteur\n, who proposed using\nviral biological control\nmethods including the use of\nchicken cholera\nbacillus (now known as\nPasteurella multocida\n). Although that measure did not prove viable, the association with Pasteur accelerated the introduction of microbiology into Australia.\n[\n30\n]\nOn 16 April 1888, the New South Wales government appointed a royal commission \"to make a full and diligent inquiry as to whether or not the introduction of contagious diseases amongst rabbits by inoculation or otherwise, or the propagation of diseases natural to rabbits ... will be accompanied or followed by danger to human health or life, or to animal life other than rabbits, or to interfere injuriously with the profitable carrying on of agricultural or pastoral pursuits ...\" Under the aegis of the commission, tests were conducted at\nRodd Island\n, and although rabbits who were given food adulterated with chicken cholera bacillus were killed, no evidence was found of the contagion spreading to healthy rabbits.\n[\n18\n]\nIn 1885, Professor\nArchibald Watson\nof the\nUniversity of Adelaide\nsuggested releasing rabbits inoculated with\nrabbit scab\ninto an enclosed trial area.\n[\n31\n]\n[\n32\n]\nLimited trials suggested that the measure would be ineffective in the drier parts of the continent.\nIn September 1887, Dr Herbert Butcher (1854–1893) of\nWilcannia\nfound a number of dead, emaciated rabbits at Tintinallogy Station. Dr H. Ellis of Sydney and he concluded that the animals had died of a novel disease, which they dubbed Tintinallogy virus. They felt it could be an effective control measure, but whatever the rabbits died from was never proved to be infectious or contagious. It may have been simple starvation caused by natural elements.\n[\n18\n]\nIn 1906 and 1907,\nJean Danysz\n, of the\nPasteur Institute\nof Paris, conducted trials on\nBroughton Island\n, New South Wales, of a strain of\nPasteurella\nbacteria he had developed, which proved to be specific to rabbits, but it proved to be a less-than-satisfactory control measure. Dr Danysz felt that Broughton Island was a poor choice of test site, and that extensive experiments should be conducted on the mainland. Frank Tidswell, who was his chief Australian collaborator, continued Danysz's trials after he left in 1907, and also began trials of the\nYalgogrin\n, Gundagai, and Picton microbes (named for the stations where infected rabbits were found), but financial support was lacking from the Federal government, or the collaboration of affected states, that would be necessary to prove that the measure safe and effective. The fact that these pathogens did not wipe out whole populations might have raised doubts as to their efficacy.\n[\n33\n]\nIn 1950, following research conducted by\nFrank Fenner\n,\nmyxoma virus\nwas deliberately released into the rabbit population, causing it to drop from an estimated 600 million\n[\n34\n]\nto around 100 million. Growing genetic resistance in the remaining rabbits had allowed the population to recover to 200–300 million by 1991.\nTo combat that trend, over three years from June 1991, the\nCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation\n(CSIRO) comprehensively tested the potential of a\nCalicivirus\n, which causes\nrabbit haemorrhagic disease\n(RHD), for biological control of wild rabbits.\n[\n35\n]\nThe virus escaped from a quarantine compound on\nWardang Island\n, South Australia, where the field tests were being carried out, and by late October 1995, it was recorded in rabbits at\nYunta\nand\nGum Creek\n, in north-eastern South Australia.\n[\n36\n]\nBy the winter of 1996, the virus was established in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.\n[\n37\n]\nThe virus was discovered in these areas by analyzing livers of dead rabbits. The success of the virus was found to be higher in dry areas, because of a benign calicivirus found in the colder, wetter areas of Australia, which was immunising rabbits against the more virulent form.\n[\n38\n]\nA legal vaccine exists in Australia for RHD, but no cure is known for either myxomatosis or RHD, and many affected pets have to be euthanized. In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus\n[\n39\n]\ndeveloped in Spain.\nA team headed by virologist Francisco Parra, working with the\nUniversity of Oviedo\n, in\nAsturias\n, northern Spain, identified a new variant of the virus in 2012.\n[\n40\n]\nThe pathogen, a new strain of K5 (RHDV1), is both extremely lethal and highly contagious.\n[\n41\n]\nIn 2017, it was released by Australian authorities at around 600 points on the continent. Owners of domestic rabbits were advised to vaccinate their animals.\n[\n42\n]\nIn southern Europe, the scarcity of rabbits threatens the conservation of\nendangered\npredator\nspecies higher up the\nfood chain\n, that depend on small game such as rabbits. These include the\nIberian lynx\nand the\nIberian imperial eagle\n. For this reason, biological warfare against rabbits in Australia is a serious concern for conservation activities in other parts of the world.\n[\n43\n]\nThe cost of rabbit vaccination substantially raises the cost of rabbit meat in Australia; from 2004 to 2014, the number of farms dropped from 80 to 4, and the meat has become a rarity.\n[\n44\n]\nCats in Australia\nCSIRO Hut\nEaster Bilby\nRabbit plagues in Australia\n^\nAlves, Joel; Carneiro, Miguel (2022).\n\"A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia\"\n.\nProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences\n.\n119\n(35) e2122734119.\nBibcode\n:\n2022PNAS..11922734A\n.\ndoi\n:\n10.1073\/pnas.2122734119\n.\nPMC\n \n9436340\n.\nPMID\n \n35994668\n.\n^\n\"Introduction\"\n.\nThe State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, Centenary 1901–2001\n.\nNational Library of Australia\n. Archived from\nthe original\non 8 July 2004\n. Retrieved\n28 July\n2013\n.\n^\n\"State Barrier Fence overview\"\n.\nAgriculture and Food\n. Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 8 December 2022.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 28 October 2014\n. Retrieved\n17 February\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Can I have a pet rabbit?\"\n(PDF)\n.\nQueensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries\n. 2020.\nArchived\n(PDF)\nfrom the original on 9 November 2020\n. Retrieved\n22 April\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Rabbits – fact sheet\"\n.\nNSW Office of Environment & Heritage\n. 17 September 2015. Archived from\nthe original\non 12 June 2018\n. Retrieved\n2 December\n2015\n.\n^\nColonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser\n22 May 1827\n^\nCunningham P. [1827]\nTwo years in New South Wales\n, vol. 1, p. 304\n^\nSydney Gazette 28 May 1831\n^\n\"House of Assembly\"\n.\nSouth Australian Register\n. Adelaide. 1 November 1876. p. 7\n. Retrieved\n28 November\n2015\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\n\"European rabbit\"\n. Agriculture Victoria. 4 March 2024.\n^\nBerrow's Worcester Journal, Saturday 31 March 1866, p.6\n^\n\"The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia\"\n.\nagspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\n. 22 July 2005. Archived from\nthe original\non 22 July 2005\n. Retrieved\n12 April\n2023\n.\n^\n\"Geelong Rabbit Invasion\"\n.\nIn Town Geelong\n. Retrieved\n6 June\n2016\n.\n^\na\nb\nAustralian Encyclopaedia, Vol, VII, Grolier Society, Sydney\n^\na\nb\nCooke, Brain D. (2012). \"Rabbits: manageable environmental pests or participants in new Australian ecosystems?\".\nWildlife Research\n.\n39\n(4):\n279–\n289.\nBibcode\n:\n2012WildR..39..279C\n.\ndoi\n:\n10.1071\/WR11166\n.\nS2CID\n \n86639733\n.\n^\n\"Environmental Damage caused by Rabbits\"\n(PDF)\n. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 18 December 2012\n. Retrieved\n29 October\n2014\n.\n^\n\"Advertising. – Extermination of rabbits\"\n.\nThe Sydney Morning Herald\n. Sydney. 7 September 1887. p. 11\n. Retrieved\n21 July\n2012\n.\n^\na\nb\nc\n\"Politics Saved the Rabbit!\"\n.\nQueensland Country Life\n. 24 November 1949. p. 14\n. Retrieved\n3 August\n2013\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\nSharp, Trudy; Saunders, Glen (1 October 2004).\n\"RABBIT WARREN DESTRUCTION BY RIPPING\"\n(PDF)\n.\nDepartment of Environment\n. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 15 February 2010\n. Retrieved\n7 September\n2009\n.\n^\n\"Rabbit Destruction by Phosphorus\"\n.\nThe Register (Adelaide)\n. Vol. LXIX, no. 17, 973. South Australia. 21 June 1904. p. 3\n. Retrieved\n1 August\n2025\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\n\"Correspondence\"\n.\nGreat Southern Herald\n. Vol. XXIX, no. 3, 139. Western Australia. 13 January 1932. p. 3\n. Retrieved\n19 April\n2017\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\nFarrelly, Gary; Paul Merks; Vertebrate Pest Research Services (2005),\n\"Options for rabbit control\"\n(PDF)\n,\nFarmnote No. 89\/2001\n, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 25 March 2012\n, retrieved\n1 February\n2011\n^\nCowan, D. P. (1 December 1984). \"The use of ferrets (Mustela furo) in the study and management of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)\".\nJournal of Zoology\n.\n204\n(4):\n570–\n574.\ndoi\n:\n10.1111\/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x\n.\nISSN\n \n1469-7998\n.\n^\na\nb\nWilliams, Kent; Parer, Ian; Coman, Brian; Burley, John; Braysher, Mike (1995).\nManaging Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits\n. Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service.\nISBN\n \n978-0-644-29623-6\n.\nOCLC\n \n153977337\n.\n^\nA. Dorothy Aldersey & R. Cockburn.\nPastoral Pioneers of South Australia I\n.\n^\n\"Proceedings in Parliament\"\n.\nMaryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser\n. No. 3, 439. Queensland, Australia. 24 July 1884. p. 3\n. Retrieved\n25 August\n2020\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\n\"Information on the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board\"\n.\nDarling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board\n. 28 January 2015. Archived from\nthe original\non 26 February 2015\n. Retrieved\n21 August\n2015\n.\n^\nMacDonald, David, ed. (2006).\nThe encyclopedia of mammals\n(New ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.\nISBN\n \n978-0-19-920608-7\n.\nOCLC\n \n83049827\n.\n^\nRolls, Eric C.\n(1969).\nThey all ran wild: the story of pests on the land in Australia\n. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.\nISBN\n \n978-0-207-95036-0\n.\nOCLC\n \n924872335\n.\n^\nPuls, Margaret, ed. (April 2006).\n\"A microbial history of Australia\"\n(PDF)\n.\nLivestock Horizons\n.\n2\n(2).\nISSN\n \n1832-3677\n. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 24 October 2007\n. Retrieved\n30 January\n2018\n.\n^\n\"Agricultural Notes\"\n.\nLaunceston Examiner\n. Tas. 14 November 1885. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the Launceston Examiner\n. Retrieved\n5 August\n2013\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\n\"Extermination of Rabbits\"\n.\nSouth Australian Register\n. Adelaide. 3 November 1887. p. 5\n. Retrieved\n3 August\n2013\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\n\"The Danysz Microbe\"\n.\nThe Mercury\n. Hobart, Tasmania. 20 February 1908. p. 6\n. Retrieved\n3 August\n2013\n– via National Library of Australia.\n^\nThe virus that stunned Australia's rabbits\n^\n\"Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD)\"\n(PDF)\n. CSIRO\n. Retrieved\n29 November\n2011\n.\n^\nCooke, Brian D. (1997).\nAnalysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia\n. Sydney: Meat Research Corporation.\n^\nAsgari, S.; Hardy, J. R. E.; Cooke, B. D. (1 January 1999). \"Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release\".\nArchives of Virology\n.\n144\n(1):\n135–\n145.\ndoi\n:\n10.1007\/s007050050490\n.\nISSN\n \n0304-8608\n.\nPMID\n \n10076514\n.\nS2CID\n \n21219285\n.\n^\n\"Rollout of RHDV K5: information guide\"\n(PDF)\n. Archived from\nthe original\n(PDF)\non 5 March 2017\n. Retrieved\n20 March\n2017\n.\n^\nBárcena, Juan; Morales, Mónica; Vázquez, Belén; Boga, José A.; Parra, Francisco; Lucientes, Javier; Pagès-Manté, Albert; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José M.; Blasco, Rafael; Torres, Juan M. (February 2000).\n\"Horizontal Transmissible Protection against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease by Using a Recombinant Myxoma Virus\"\n.\nJournal of Virology\n.\n74\n(3):\n1114–\n1123.\ndoi\n:\n10.1128\/JVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000\n.\nISSN\n \n0022-538X\n.\nPMC\n \n111445\n.\nPMID\n \n10627521\n.\n^\n\"A team led by Doctor Francisco Parra, awarded for their innovative work in the field of animal health\"\n.\nUniversity of Oviedo\n. 5 May 2015.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 21 October 2017\n. Retrieved\n21 October\n2017\n.\n^\n\"RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)\"\n.\nPestSmart\n. Centre for Invasive Species Solutions.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 21 October 2017\n. Retrieved\n21 October\n2017\n.\n^\n\"Rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release\"\n.\nDepartment of Primary Industries and Regional Development\n. Government of Western Australia. 21 June 2017.\nArchived\nfrom the original on 21 October 2017\n. Retrieved\n21 October\n2017\n.\n^\nAnsede, Manuel (26 May 2017).\n\"Australia libera un virus letal para arrasar sus poblaciones de conejos:Los expertos alertan de posibles efectos devastadores si el patógeno llega a España\"\n.\nEl País\n(in Spanish). Spain\n. Retrieved\n26 May\n2017\n.\n^\nAlyse Edwards (20 April 2014).\n\"Rabbit meat disappearing from consumers' tables as farmers struggle with spiralling costs\"\n.\nAustralian Broadcasting Corporation\n.\nComan, Brian (2010).\nTooth & Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia\n(revised ed.). Melbourne: Text Publishing.\nISBN\n \n978-1-92-165638-5\n.\nThe Rabbit in Australia (1979)\nAustralian Broadcasting Corporation Land line\nAustralian Broadcasting Corporation Rabbiting On – Australian stories of experiences with the pest\nCSIRO Protection for Pet rabbits\nCulture Victoria – Nox All Rabbits video about rabbits and rabbit control in Australia\nRabbits in Australia\nat National Museum Australia","attrs_markdown":"[Jump to content](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#bodyContent)\n\nMain menu\n\nMain menu\n\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\nNavigation\n\n- [Main page](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Main_Page \"Visit the main page [z]\")\n- [Contents](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Contents \"Guides to browsing Wikipedia\")\n- [Current events](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Portal:Current_events \"Articles related to current events\")\n- [Random article](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:Random \"Visit a randomly selected article [x]\")\n- [About Wikipedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:About \"Learn about Wikipedia and how it works\")\n- [Contact us](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Contact_us \"How to contact Wikipedia\")\n\nContribute\n\n- [Help](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Contents \"Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia\")\n- [Learn to edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:Introduction \"Learn how to edit Wikipedia\")\n- [Community portal](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Community_portal \"The hub for editors\")\n- [Recent changes](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:RecentChanges \"A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [r]\")\n- [Upload file](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard \"Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia\")\n- [Special pages](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:SpecialPages \"A list of all special pages [q]\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/icons\/enwiki-25.svg) ![Wikipedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/mobile\/copyright\/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg) ![The Free Encyclopedia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/static\/images\/mobile\/copyright\/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Main_Page)\n\n[Search](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:Search \"Search Wikipedia [f]\")\n\nAppearance\n\n- [Donate](https:\/\/donate.wikimedia.org\/?wmf_source=donate&wmf_medium=sidebar&wmf_campaign=en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en)\n- [Create account](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Rabbits+in+Australia \"You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory\")\n- [Log in](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Rabbits+in+Australia \"You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. 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[o]\")\n\n## Contents\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\n- [(Top)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia)\n- [1 History](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#History)\n- [2 Effects on Australia's ecology](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Effects_on_Australia's_ecology)\n- [3 Control measures](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Control_measures)\n  Toggle Control measures subsection\n  - [3\\.1 Common control measures](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Common_control_measures)\n  - [3\\.2 Fences](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Fences)\n    - [3\\.2.1 Queensland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Queensland)\n    - [3\\.2.2 Western Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Western_Australia)\n  - [3\\.3 Biological measures](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Biological_measures)\n- [4 See also](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#See_also)\n- [5 References](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#References)\n- [6 Further reading](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#Further_reading)\n- [7 External links](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#External_links)\n\nToggle the table of contents\n\n# Rabbits in Australia\n15 languages\n\n- [Čeština](https:\/\/cs.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Invaze_kr%C3%A1l%C3%ADka_divok%C3%A9ho_v_Austr%C3%A1lii \"Invaze králíka divokého v Austrálii – Czech\")\n- [فارسی](https:\/\/fa.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%D8%AE%D8%B1%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7_%D8%AF%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7 \"خرگوش‌ها در استرالیا – Persian\")\n- [Français](https:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lapins_en_Australie \"Lapins en Australie – French\")\n- [עברית](https:\/\/he.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A0%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%91%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%94 \"ארנבים באוסטרליה – Hebrew\")\n- [Italiano](https:\/\/it.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Conigli_in_Australia \"Conigli in Australia – Italian\")\n- [한국어](https:\/\/ko.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%EC%98%A4%EC%8A%A4%ED%8A%B8%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%BC%EB%A6%AC%EC%95%84%EC%9D%98_%ED%86%A0%EB%81%BC \"오스트레일리아의 토끼 – Korean\")\n- [Македонски](https:\/\/mk.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%D0%97%D0%B0%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8_%D0%B2%D0%BE_%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0 \"Зајаци во Австралија – Macedonian\")\n- [Deitsch](https:\/\/pdc.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kaninchen_in_Australien \"Kaninchen in Australien – Pennsylvania German\")\n- [Polski](https:\/\/pl.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kr%C3%B3lik_w_Australii \"Królik w Australii – Polish\")\n- [Русский](https:\/\/ru.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D0%B2_%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B8 \"Кролики в Австралии – Russian\")\n- [Slovenščina](https:\/\/sl.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kunci_v_Avstraliji \"Kunci v Avstraliji – Slovenian\")\n- [Svenska](https:\/\/sv.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kaniner_i_Australien \"Kaniner i Australien – Swedish\")\n- [Українська](https:\/\/uk.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%96_%D0%B2_%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%96%D1%97 \"Кролі в Австралії – Ukrainian\")\n- [Tiếng Việt](https:\/\/vi.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Th%E1%BB%8F_hoang_%E1%BB%9F_%C3%9Ac \"Thỏ hoang ở Úc – Vietnamese\")\n- [中文](https:\/\/zh.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/%E6%BE%B3%E5%A4%A7%E5%88%A9%E4%BA%9A%E7%9A%84%E5%85%94%E5%AD%90 \"澳大利亚的兔子 – Chinese\")\n\n[Edit links](https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Special:EntityPage\/Q2416147#sitelinks-wikipedia \"Edit interlanguage links\")\n\n- [Article](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia \"View the content page [c]\")\n- [Talk](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Talk:Rabbits_in_Australia \"Discuss improvements to the content page [t]\")\n\nEnglish\n\n- [Read](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia)\n- [Edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit \"Edit this page [e]\")\n- [View history](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=history \"Past revisions of this page [h]\")\n\nTools\n\nTools\n\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\nActions\n\n- [Read](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia)\n- [Edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit \"Edit this page [e]\")\n- [View history](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=history)\n\nGeneral\n\n- [What links here](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:WhatLinksHere\/Rabbits_in_Australia \"List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]\")\n- [Related changes](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:RecentChangesLinked\/Rabbits_in_Australia \"Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]\")\n- [Upload file](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard \"Upload files [u]\")\n- [Permanent link](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&oldid=1338201159 \"Permanent link to this revision of this page\")\n- [Page information](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=info \"More information about this page\")\n- [Cite this page](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=Rabbits_in_Australia&id=1338201159&wpFormIdentifier=titleform \"Information on how to cite this page\")\n- [Get shortened URL](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FRabbits_in_Australia)\n\nPrint\/export\n\n- [Download as PDF](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=show-download-screen \"Download this page as a PDF file\")\n- [Printable version](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&printable=yes \"Printable version of this page [p]\")\n\nIn other projects\n\n- [Wikimedia Commons](https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Rabbits_in_Australia)\n- [Wikidata item](https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Special:EntityPage\/Q2416147 \"Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]\")\n\nAppearance\n\nmove to sidebar\n\nhide\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/37\/Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg\/250px-Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg)\n\nA European rabbit in [Tasmania](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tasmania \"Tasmania\")\n\n[European rabbits](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/European_rabbit \"European rabbit\") (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) were first introduced to [Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Australia_\$continent\$ \"Australia (continent)\") in the 18th century with the [First Fleet](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/First_Fleet \"First Fleet\"), and later became widespread, because of [Thomas Austin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thomas_Austin_\$pastoralist\$ \"Thomas Austin (pastoralist)\").[\\[1\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Alves2022-1) Such wild rabbit populations are a serious [mammalian](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mammal \"Mammal\") [pest](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pest_\$organism\$ \"Pest (organism)\") and [invasive species](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Invasive_species \"Invasive species\") in Australia causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops. Their spread may have been enhanced through the emergence of strong crossbreeds.\n\nVarious methods in the 20th century have been attempted to control the Australian rabbit population. Conventional methods include shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, but these had only limited success. From 1901 to 1907, a [rabbit-proof fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence \"Rabbit-proof fence\") was built in [Western Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Australia \"Western Australia\") in an unsuccessful attempt to contain the rabbits.[\\[2\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-2)[\\[3\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-3) The *[myxoma virus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myxoma_virus \"Myxoma virus\")*, which causes [myxomatosis](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myxomatosis \"Myxomatosis\"), was introduced into the rabbit population in the 1950s and had the effect of severely reducing the rabbit population. However, the survivors have since adapted and partially recovered their previous numbers. Domesticated rabbits are banned as pets in the state of [Queensland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland \"Queensland\").[\\[4\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-4)\n\n## History\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=1 \"Edit section: History\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/72\/Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg\/330px-Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park,_Victoria,_1860s.jpg)\n\n[Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alfred,_Duke_of_Saxe-Coburg_and_Gotha \"Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha\"), rabbit shooting at [Barwon Park](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barwon_Park \"Barwon Park\"), Victoria in the 1860s\n\nRabbits were first introduced to Australia by the [First Fleet](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/First_Fleet \"First Fleet\") in 1788.[\\[5\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-5) They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in [Tasmania](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tasmania \"Tasmania\"), a newspaper article noted \"...the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony\" i.e., [New South Wales](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_South_Wales \"New South Wales\") (NSW).[\\[6\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-6) This clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, \"... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures...\" He also noted the scrubby, sandy rubble between Sydney and [Botany Bay](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Botany_Bay \"Botany Bay\") would be ideal for farming rabbits.[\\[7\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-7)\n\nEnclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by [Alexander Macleay](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alexander_Macleay \"Alexander Macleay\") at [Elizabeth Bay House](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elizabeth_Bay_House \"Elizabeth Bay House\"), \"a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game.\"[\\[8\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-8) In the 1840s, rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nIn 1857–1858, [Alexander Buchanan](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alexander_Buchanan_\$stockman\$ \"Alexander Buchanan (stockman)\"), overseer for [F. H. Dutton's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frederick_Dutton_\$Australian_politician\$ \"Frederick Dutton (Australian politician)\") [Anlaby Estate](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anlaby_Estate \"Anlaby Estate\") in the Mid-North of [South Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Australia \"South Australia\"), released a number of rabbits for hunting sport. Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866, presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and protected from poachers by an Act of Parliament, but by 1867 was out of control.[\\[9\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-9) The [population explosion](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Population_explosion \"Population explosion\") was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators, but the emergence of a hardier breed by [natural selection](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Natural_selection \"Natural selection\") has subsequently been attributed to their spread.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/47\/Rabbit_skins.jpg\/330px-Rabbit_skins.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit_skins.jpg)\n\nA load of rabbit skins, [Northern Tablelands](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Northern_Tablelands,_New_South_Wales \"Northern Tablelands, New South Wales\"), New South Wales\n\nThe current infestation appears to have originated with the release of at least 13 wild rabbits[\\[10\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-10) by [Thomas Austin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thomas_Austin_\$pastoralist\$ \"Thomas Austin (pastoralist)\") for [hunting](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hunting \"Hunting\") purposes in October 1859, on his property, [Barwon Park](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barwon_Park \"Barwon Park\"), near [Winchelsea](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winchelsea,_Victoria \"Winchelsea, Victoria\"), Victoria and by 1866, the Geelong Advertiser reported 50,000 having been killed by hunters.[\\[11\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-11) While living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. At the time, he had stated, \"The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting\".[\\[12\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005-12) William could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon Park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were much more suited to Australian conditions.[\\[13\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-13) Many other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nThe rabbits were extremely prolific and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that might otherwise have been scrub or woodlands were, instead, turned into vast areas with low vegetation, creating ideal habitats for rabbits.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nIn a classic example of [unintended consequences](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unintended_consequences \"Unintended consequences\"), rabbits had become so prevalent within 10 years of their introduction in 1859 that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nAlthough the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved useful to many people during the depressions of the 1890s and [1930s](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_Depression_in_Australia \"Great Depression in Australia\") and during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers, [stockmen](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stockman_\$Australia\$ \"Stockman (Australia)\"), and [stationhands](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Station_\$Australian_agriculture\$ \"Station (Australian agriculture)\") by providing food and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to [working dogs](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Working_dog#Working_dogs_in_Australia \"Working dog\") and boiled to be fed to poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcasses were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the [felt-hat industry](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Akubra \"Akubra\").[\\[14\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14)\n\n## Effects on Australia's ecology\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=2 \"Edit section: Effects on Australia's ecology\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Rabbit-erosion.jpg\/250px-Rabbit-erosion.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit-erosion.jpg)\n\nThe erosion of a gully in South Australia caused by rabbits overgrazing\n\nSince their introduction from Europe in the 19th century, the effect of rabbits on the ecology of Australia has been devastating. They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia.[\\[15\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) Rabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning [overgrazing](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Overgrazing \"Overgrazing\"). The rabbits would first deplete the natural pasture vegetation, and would then resort to consuming woody vegetation, which included small shrubs, and the leaves and bark of trees.[\\[15\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) The extent of plant species' loss is unknown at this time, though rabbits are known to often kill young trees in orchards, forests, and on properties by [ringbarking](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ringbarking \"Ringbarking\") them.[\\[14\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14)\n\nRabbits are also responsible for serious [erosion](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Erosion \"Erosion\") problems, as they eat native plants, leaving the [topsoil](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Topsoil \"Topsoil\") exposed and vulnerable to sheet, gully, and wind erosion. The removal of this topsoil is devastating to the land, as it takes many hundreds of years to regenerate.[\\[16\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-16)\n\n## Control measures\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=3 \"Edit section: Control measures\")\\]\n\nBy 1887, losses from rabbit damage compelled the New South Wales government to offer a [£](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pound_sterling \"Pound sterling\")25,000 reward, equivalent to [A\\$](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Australian_dollar \"Australian dollar\")3\\.9 million in 2022, for \"any method of success not previously known in the Colony for the effectual extermination of rabbits\".[\\[17\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-SMH1887-17) The commission received 1,456 suggestions, including several schemes involving biological controls (see below), but none was found to be both safe and effective.[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18)\n\nA [Royal Commission](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Royal_Commission \"Royal Commission\") was held to investigate the situation in 1901. Once the problem was understood, various control methods were tried to limit or reduce the population of rabbits in Australia. These methods had limited success until the introduction of biological control methods in the latter half of the 20th century.\n\n### Common control measures\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=4 \"Edit section: Common control measures\")\\]\n\nSee also: [Animal population control](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Animal_population_control \"Animal population control\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG\/250px-Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Woolbrook_\$3\$.JPG)\n\nAn old poison cart, which distributed poisoned [baits](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bait_\$luring_substance\$ \"Bait (luring substance)\") to kill rabbits, Woolbrook, NSW\n\nShooting rabbits is one of the most common control methods and can successfully be used to keep already-low populations in check while providing food for people or pets, though it is ineffective for large-scale eradication.\n\nDestroying warrens through ripping (a procedure wherein rabbits are dismembered or buried alive as a bulldozer dragging sharp [tines](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tine_\$structural\$ \"Tine (structural)\") is driven over their warrens or burrows),[\\[19\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-19) ploughing, blasting, and fumigating is widely used, especially on large farms (known as \"stations\"). The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation.\n\n[Poisoning](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Poison \"Poison\") is probably the most widely used of the conventional techniques, as it requires the least effort and is capable of destroying a local population, though reinfestation given the mobility of the animal is almost inevitable. Laying baits of [pollard](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bran \"Bran\") laced with a [phosphorus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phosphorus \"Phosphorus\")\\-based poison,[\\[20\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-20) such as \"S.A.P.\" manufactured by [Sayers, Allport & Potter](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sayers,_Allport_%26_Potter \"Sayers, Allport & Potter\"), was an early method. The advantage of phosphorus is that in dry weather, assuming it has not been laid in clumps (obviated by use of a poison cart), it soon degrades to innocuous [phosphoric acid](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phosphoric_acid \"Phosphoric acid\") and presents no further danger to livestock or pets. It does, however, present a real fire risk, and concentrated fumes can be toxic to operators.[\\[21\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-21) More modern poisons for rabbit control are [sodium fluoroacetate](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sodium_fluoroacetate \"Sodium fluoroacetate\") (\"1080\") and [pindone](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pindone \"Pindone\").[\\[22\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-DAgWA-22)\n\nAnother technique is hunting using [ferrets](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ferret \"Ferret\"), wherein ferrets are deployed to chase the rabbits out to be shot or into nets set over the burrows. Since the number of rabbits ferrets can kill is limited,[\\[23\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-23) this is more a hunting activity than a serious control method. Although ferrets and other mustelid species are used as control measures, Australia has significantly fewer wild mustelids to prey on the invasive rabbits while in their warrens or burrows compared to Europe and the United States.[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24)\n\nHistorically, trapping was also frequently used; steel-jawed leg-holding traps were banned in most states in the 1980s on animal-cruelty grounds, though trapping continues at a lower level using rubber-jawed traps. All of these techniques are limited to working only in settled areas and are quite labour-intensive.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n### Fences\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=5 \"Edit section: Fences\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg\/250px-Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg)\n\nImpact of rabbit-proof fence, Cobar, New South Wales, 1905\n\nRing-fencing can be highly effective way of providing a rabbit-free area. In the 1880s, [James Moseley](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/James_Moseley_\$politician\$ \"James Moseley (politician)\") ringed Coondambo Station with wire netting and fenced off the watercourses; at the first heatwave, the rabbits perished of thirst. Shortly after 1900, he fenced off the deserted Yardea, Paney, Pondana, Yarloo, and Thurlga stations in the [Gawler Ranges](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gawler_Ranges \"Gawler Ranges\") with 150 miles (240 km) of wire netting, turning them within a few years from degraded land overrun with rabbits into a profitable sheep run.[\\[25\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-pastoral-25)\n\nWell-known modern examples, which also exclude foxes, dogs, and cats are [Warrawong](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Warrawong_Sanctuary \"Warrawong Sanctuary\") and [Yookamurra](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yookamurra_Sanctuary \"Yookamurra Sanctuary\") wildlife sanctuaries, pioneered by [John Wamsley](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_Wamsley \"John Wamsley\").\n\nTwo well-known examples of much more extensive fences are:\n\n#### Queensland\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=6 \"Edit section: Queensland\")\\]\n\nMain article: [Darling Downs–Moreton Rabbit Board fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Darling_Downs%E2%80%93Moreton_Rabbit_Board_fence \"Darling Downs–Moreton Rabbit Board fence\")\n\nIn July 1884, [Ernest James Stevens](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ernest_James_Stevens \"Ernest James Stevens\"), a member of the [Queensland Legislative Assembly](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Legislative_Assembly_of_Queensland \"Legislative Assembly of Queensland\"), proposed that the [Queensland government](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland_government \"Queensland government\") erect a fence to prevent the infestation of rabbits in New South Wales from spreading into Queensland (his [Logan electorate](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Electoral_district_of_Logan \"Electoral district of Logan\") being very close to the New South Wales border).[\\[26\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-26)\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/47\/Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff\/lossy-page1-250px-Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe,_Christmas_1934.tiff)\n\nGate in the Rabbit Fence at Stanthorpe, Queensland, 1934\n\nIn 1893, a [rabbit-proof fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence_\$Queensland\$ \"Rabbit-proof fence (Queensland)\") was commenced in [Queensland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland \"Queensland\"). It was progressively extended through the years. In 1997, a final segment was built connecting it to the [Dingo Fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dingo_Fence \"Dingo Fence\"). It extends from [Mount Gipps](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mount_Gipps,_Queensland \"Mount Gipps, Queensland\") (near [Rathdowney](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rathdowney,_Queensland \"Rathdowney, Queensland\")) to [Goombi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Goombi \"Goombi\") between [Chinchilla](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chinchilla,_Queensland \"Chinchilla, Queensland\") and [Miles](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Miles,_Queensland \"Miles, Queensland\").[\\[27\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-27)\n\n#### Western Australia\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=7 \"Edit section: Western Australia\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/65\/RabbitProofFence.JPG\/250px-RabbitProofFence.JPG)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:RabbitProofFence.JPG)\n\nThe No. 1 rabbit-fence in Western Australia (1926)\n\nMain article: [Rabbit-proof fence (Western Australia)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence_\$Western_Australia\$ \"Rabbit-proof fence (Western Australia)\")\n\nFrom 1901 to 1907, the [rabbit-proof fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence \"Rabbit-proof fence\") was built in Western Australia between [Cape Keraudren](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cape_Keraudren \"Cape Keraudren\") and [Esperance](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Esperance,_Western_Australia \"Esperance, Western Australia\") to try to control the spread of the rabbit population from the east into Western Australian pastoral areas. Given that [European rabbits](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/European_rabbits \"European rabbits\") can both jump very high and burrow underground,[\\[28\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-28) a perfectly intact fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres, and whose gates farmers or graziers did not leave open for livestock or machinery, was still unlikely to succeed.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] As such, the Number 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence, which was erected in 1901, failed to keep the rabbit population away from the protected area.[\\[29\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-29) Even after this large scale fence had failed, smaller scale fencing projects continued to make a successful appearance.[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24)\n\n### Biological measures\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=8 \"Edit section: Biological measures\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png\/250px-Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png)\n\nMyxomatosis control trial, 1952\n\nReleasing rabbit-borne diseases has proven somewhat successful in controlling the population of rabbits in Australia, but such success as has been achieved did not occur as quickly as was hoped.\n\nAn offer by the New South Wales government of a £25,000 reward for a biological control of rabbits attracted the attention of [Louis Pasteur](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Louis_Pasteur \"Louis Pasteur\"), who proposed using [viral biological control](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Viral_biological_control \"Viral biological control\") methods including the use of [chicken cholera](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chicken_cholera \"Chicken cholera\") bacillus (now known as [*Pasteurella multocida*](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pasteurella#In_animals \"Pasteurella\")). Although that measure did not prove viable, the association with Pasteur accelerated the introduction of microbiology into Australia.[\\[30\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO2006-30)\n\nOn 16 April 1888, the New South Wales government appointed a royal commission \"to make a full and diligent inquiry as to whether or not the introduction of contagious diseases amongst rabbits by inoculation or otherwise, or the propagation of diseases natural to rabbits ... will be accompanied or followed by danger to human health or life, or to animal life other than rabbits, or to interfere injuriously with the profitable carrying on of agricultural or pastoral pursuits ...\" Under the aegis of the commission, tests were conducted at [Rodd Island](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rodd_Island \"Rodd Island\"), and although rabbits who were given food adulterated with chicken cholera bacillus were killed, no evidence was found of the contagion spreading to healthy rabbits.[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18)\n\nIn 1885, Professor [Archibald Watson](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Archibald_Watson_\$surgeon\$ \"Archibald Watson (surgeon)\") of the [University of Adelaide](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Adelaide \"University of Adelaide\") suggested releasing rabbits inoculated with [rabbit scab](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbit_scab&action=edit&redlink=1 \"Rabbit scab (page does not exist)\") into an enclosed trial area.[\\[31\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-31)[\\[32\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-32) Limited trials suggested that the measure would be ineffective in the drier parts of the continent.\n\nIn September 1887, Dr Herbert Butcher (1854–1893) of [Wilcannia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wilcannia \"Wilcannia\") found a number of dead, emaciated rabbits at Tintinallogy Station. Dr H. Ellis of Sydney and he concluded that the animals had died of a novel disease, which they dubbed Tintinallogy virus. They felt it could be an effective control measure, but whatever the rabbits died from was never proved to be infectious or contagious. It may have been simple starvation caused by natural elements.[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18)\n\nIn 1906 and 1907, [Jean Danysz](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jean_Danysz_\$biologist\$ \"Jean Danysz (biologist)\"), of the [Pasteur Institute](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pasteur_Institute \"Pasteur Institute\") of Paris, conducted trials on [Broughton Island](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Broughton_Island,_New_South_Wales \"Broughton Island, New South Wales\"), New South Wales, of a strain of *[Pasteurella](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pasteurella \"Pasteurella\")* bacteria he had developed, which proved to be specific to rabbits, but it proved to be a less-than-satisfactory control measure. Dr Danysz felt that Broughton Island was a poor choice of test site, and that extensive experiments should be conducted on the mainland. Frank Tidswell, who was his chief Australian collaborator, continued Danysz's trials after he left in 1907, and also began trials of the [Yalgogrin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yalgogrin,_New_South_Wales \"Yalgogrin, New South Wales\"), Gundagai, and Picton microbes (named for the stations where infected rabbits were found), but financial support was lacking from the Federal government, or the collaboration of affected states, that would be necessary to prove that the measure safe and effective. The fact that these pathogens did not wipe out whole populations might have raised doubts as to their efficacy.[\\[33\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-33)\n\nIn 1950, following research conducted by [Frank Fenner](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frank_Fenner \"Frank Fenner\"), *[myxoma virus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myxoma_virus \"Myxoma virus\")* was deliberately released into the rabbit population, causing it to drop from an estimated 600 million[\\[34\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-34) to around 100 million. Growing genetic resistance in the remaining rabbits had allowed the population to recover to 200–300 million by 1991.\n\nTo combat that trend, over three years from June 1991, the [Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commonwealth_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_Organisation \"Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation\") (CSIRO) comprehensively tested the potential of a *[Calicivirus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Calicivirus \"Calicivirus\")*, which causes [rabbit haemorrhagic disease](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit_haemorrhagic_disease \"Rabbit haemorrhagic disease\") (RHD), for biological control of wild rabbits.[\\[35\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO-35) The virus escaped from a quarantine compound on [Wardang Island](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wardang_Island \"Wardang Island\"), South Australia, where the field tests were being carried out, and by late October 1995, it was recorded in rabbits at [Yunta](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yunta,_South_Australia \"Yunta, South Australia\") and [Gum Creek](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gum_Creek,_South_Australia \"Gum Creek, South Australia\"), in north-eastern South Australia.[\\[36\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Cooke-36) By the winter of 1996, the virus was established in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.[\\[37\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-37) The virus was discovered in these areas by analyzing livers of dead rabbits. The success of the virus was found to be higher in dry areas, because of a benign calicivirus found in the colder, wetter areas of Australia, which was immunising rabbits against the more virulent form.[\\[38\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-PestSmart-38)\n\nA legal vaccine exists in Australia for RHD, but no cure is known for either myxomatosis or RHD, and many affected pets have to be euthanized. In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus[\\[39\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-39) developed in Spain.\n\nA team headed by virologist Francisco Parra, working with the [University of Oviedo](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Oviedo \"University of Oviedo\"), in [Asturias](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asturias \"Asturias\"), northern Spain, identified a new variant of the virus in 2012.[\\[40\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-40) The pathogen, a new strain of K5 (RHDV1), is both extremely lethal and highly contagious.[\\[41\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-41) In 2017, it was released by Australian authorities at around 600 points on the continent. Owners of domestic rabbits were advised to vaccinate their animals.[\\[42\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-42)\n\nIn southern Europe, the scarcity of rabbits threatens the conservation of [endangered](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Endangered_species \"Endangered species\") [predator](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Predation \"Predation\") species higher up the [food chain](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Food_chain \"Food chain\"), that depend on small game such as rabbits. These include the [Iberian lynx](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iberian_lynx#Diet_and_hunting \"Iberian lynx\") and the [Iberian imperial eagle](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Spanish_imperial_eagle#Conservation \"Spanish imperial eagle\"). For this reason, biological warfare against rabbits in Australia is a serious concern for conservation activities in other parts of the world.[\\[43\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-43)\n\nThe cost of rabbit vaccination substantially raises the cost of rabbit meat in Australia; from 2004 to 2014, the number of farms dropped from 80 to 4, and the meat has become a rarity.[\\[44\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-44)\n\n## See also\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=9 \"Edit section: See also\")\\]\n\n- ![flag](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Flag_of_Australia.svg\/40px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png)[Australia portal](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Portal:Australia \"Portal:Australia\")\n\n- [Cats in Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cats_in_Australia \"Cats in Australia\")\n- [CSIRO Hut](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CSIRO_Hut \"CSIRO Hut\")\n- [Easter Bilby](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Easter_Bilby \"Easter Bilby\")\n- [Rabbit plagues in Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit_plagues_in_Australia \"Rabbit plagues in Australia\")\n\n## References\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=10 \"Edit section: References\")\\]\n\n1. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Alves2022_1-0)**\n   Alves, Joel; Carneiro, Miguel (2022). [\"A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia\"](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9436340). *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. **119** (35) e2122734119. [Bibcode](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bibcode_\$identifier\$ \"Bibcode (identifier)\"):[2022PNAS..11922734A](https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2022PNAS..11922734A). [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1073\/pnas.2122734119](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073%2Fpnas.2122734119). [PMC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMC_\$identifier\$ \"PMC (identifier)\") [9436340](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9436340). [PMID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMID_\$identifier\$ \"PMID (identifier)\") [35994668](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35994668).\n2. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-2)**\n   [\"Introduction\"](https:\/\/webarchive.nla.gov.au\/awa\/20040708140000\/http:\/\/pandora.nla.gov.au\/pan\/43156\/20040709\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/intro.htm). *The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, Centenary 1901–2001*. [National Library of Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Library_of_Australia \"National Library of Australia\"). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/intro.htm) on 8 July 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2013.\n3. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-3)**\n   [\"State Barrier Fence overview\"](https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/invasive-species\/state-barrier-fence-overview). *Agriculture and Food*. Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 8 December 2022. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20141028021557\/https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/invasive-species\/state-barrier-fence-overview) from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2023.\n4. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-4)**\n   [\"Can I have a pet rabbit?\"](https:\/\/www.daf.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0009\/57780\/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF). *Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries*. 2020. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20201109033028\/https:\/\/www.daf.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0009\/57780\/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2023.\n5. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-5)**\n   [\"Rabbits – fact sheet\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180612123155\/http:\/\/www.environment.nsw.gov.au\/pestsweeds\/RabbitFactsheet.htm). *NSW Office of Environment & Heritage*. 17 September 2015. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.environment.nsw.gov.au\/pestsweeds\/RabbitFactsheet.htm) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2015.\n6. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-6)** *Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser* 22 May 1827\n7. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-7)** Cunningham P. \\[1827\\] *Two years in New South Wales*, vol. 1, p. 304\n8. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-8)** Sydney Gazette 28 May 1831\n9. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-9)**\n   [\"House of Assembly\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article43013586). *[South Australian Register](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Australian_Register \"South Australian Register\")*. Adelaide. 1 November 1876. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.\n10. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-10)**\n    [\"European rabbit\"](https:\/\/agriculture.vic.gov.au\/biosecurity\/pest-animals\/established-pest-animal-species\/european-rabbit). Agriculture Victoria. 4 March 2024.\n11. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-11)** Berrow's Worcester Journal, Saturday 31 March 1866, p.6\n12. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005_12-0)**\n    [\"The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20050722133944\/http:\/\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/history.htm). *agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au*. 22 July 2005. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/history.htm) on 22 July 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2023.\n13. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-13)**\n    [\"Geelong Rabbit Invasion\"](http:\/\/www.intown.com.au\/feature\/geelong-and-the-rabbit-invasion.htm). *In Town Geelong*. Retrieved 6 June 2016.\n14. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-1) Australian Encyclopaedia, Vol, VII, Grolier Society, Sydney\n15. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-1)\n    Cooke, Brain D. (2012). \"Rabbits: manageable environmental pests or participants in new Australian ecosystems?\". *Wildlife Research*. **39** (4): 279–289\\. [Bibcode](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bibcode_\$identifier\$ \"Bibcode (identifier)\"):[2012WildR..39..279C](https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2012WildR..39..279C). [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1071\/WR11166](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1071%2FWR11166). [S2CID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/S2CID_\$identifier\$ \"S2CID (identifier)\") [86639733](https:\/\/api.semanticscholar.org\/CorpusID:86639733).\n16. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-16)**\n    [\"Environmental Damage caused by Rabbits\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20121218144317\/http:\/\/www.pir.sa.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0006\/173733\/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.pir.sa.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0006\/173733\/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF) on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2014.\n17. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-SMH1887_17-0)**\n    [\"Advertising. – Extermination of rabbits\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article13649462). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald \"The Sydney Morning Herald\")*. Sydney. 7 September 1887. p. 11. Retrieved 21 July 2012.\n18. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-1) [***c***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-2)\n    [\"Politics Saved the Rabbit!\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article97120682). *[Queensland Country Life](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland_Country_Life \"Queensland Country Life\")*. 24 November 1949. p. 14. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n19. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-19)**\n    Sharp, Trudy; Saunders, Glen (1 October 2004). [\"RABBIT WARREN DESTRUCTION BY RIPPING\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20100215045032\/http:\/\/www.environment.gov.au\/biodiversity\/invasive\/publications\/pubs\/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF). *Department of Environment*. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.environment.gov.au\/biodiversity\/invasive\/publications\/pubs\/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2009.\n20. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-20)**\n    [\"Rabbit Destruction by Phosphorus\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article56591808). *[The Register (Adelaide)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Register_\$Adelaide\$ \"The Register (Adelaide)\")*. Vol. LXIX, no. 17, 973. South Australia. 21 June 1904. p. 3. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.\n21. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-21)**\n    [\"Correspondence\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article147677247). *[Great Southern Herald](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_Southern_Herald \"Great Southern Herald\")*. Vol. XXIX, no. 3, 139. Western Australia. 13 January 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.\n22. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-DAgWA_22-0)**\n    Farrelly, Gary; Paul Merks; Vertebrate Pest Research Services (2005), [\"Options for rabbit control\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20120325151145\/http:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/objtwr\/imported_assets\/content\/pw\/vp\/rab\/f08901.pdf) (PDF), *Farmnote No. 89\/2001*, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/objtwr\/imported_assets\/content\/pw\/vp\/rab\/f08901.pdf) (PDF) on 25 March 2012, retrieved 1 February 2011\n23. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-23)**\n    Cowan, D. P. (1 December 1984). \"The use of ferrets (Mustela furo) in the study and management of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)\". *Journal of Zoology*. **204** (4): 570–574\\. [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1111\/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [1469-7998](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/1469-7998).\n24. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-1)\n    Williams, Kent; Parer, Ian; Coman, Brian; Burley, John; Braysher, Mike (1995). *Managing Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits*. Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n    \n    [978-0-644-29623-6](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-0-644-29623-6 \"Special:BookSources\/978-0-644-29623-6\")\n    \n    . [OCLC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/OCLC_\$identifier\$ \"OCLC (identifier)\") [153977337](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/oclc\/153977337).\n25. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-pastoral_25-0)**\n    A. Dorothy Aldersey & R. Cockburn. *Pastoral Pioneers of South Australia I*.\n26. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-26)**\n    [\"Proceedings in Parliament\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article146684733). *[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maryborough_Chronicle,_Wide_Bay_and_Burnett_Advertiser \"Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser\")*. No. 3, 439. Queensland, Australia. 24 July 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.\n27. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-27)**\n    [\"Information on the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150226233249\/http:\/\/ddmrb.org.au\/About%20DDMRB.htm). [Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Darling_Downs-Moreton_Rabbit_Board \"Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board\"). 28 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.ddmrb.org.au\/About%20DDMRB.htm) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.\n28. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-28)**\n    MacDonald, David, ed. (2006). *The encyclopedia of mammals* (New ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n    \n    [978-0-19-920608-7](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-0-19-920608-7 \"Special:BookSources\/978-0-19-920608-7\")\n    \n    . [OCLC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/OCLC_\$identifier\$ \"OCLC (identifier)\") [83049827](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/oclc\/83049827).\n29. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-29)**\n    [Rolls, Eric C.](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eric_Charles_Rolls \"Eric Charles Rolls\") (1969). *They all ran wild: the story of pests on the land in Australia*. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n    \n    [978-0-207-95036-0](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-0-207-95036-0 \"Special:BookSources\/978-0-207-95036-0\")\n    \n    . [OCLC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/OCLC_\$identifier\$ \"OCLC (identifier)\") [924872335](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/oclc\/924872335).\n30. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO2006_30-0)**\n    Puls, Margaret, ed. (April 2006). [\"A microbial history of Australia\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20071024144609\/http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/files\/files\/p6fr.pdf) (PDF). *Livestock Horizons*. **2** (2). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [1832-3677](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/1832-3677). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/files\/files\/p6fr.pdf) (PDF) on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2018.\n31. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-31)**\n    [\"Agricultural Notes\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article38307299). *[Launceston Examiner](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Launceston_Examiner \"Launceston Examiner\")*. Tas. 14 November 1885. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the Launceston Examiner. Retrieved 5 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n32. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-32)**\n    [\"Extermination of Rabbits\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article46830911). *[South Australian Register](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Australian_Register \"South Australian Register\")*. Adelaide. 3 November 1887. p. 5. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n33. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-33)**\n    [\"The Danysz Microbe\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article12653959). *[The Mercury](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Mercury_\$Hobart\$ \"The Mercury (Hobart)\")*. Hobart, Tasmania. 20 February 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n34. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-34)** [The virus that stunned Australia's rabbits](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111125204128\/http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/science\/Myxomatosis-History)\n35. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO_35-0)**\n    [\"Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD)\"](http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/resources\/~\/media\/CSIROau\/Divisions\/CSIRO%20Entomology\/RabbitCalicivirusDiseas_Ento_PDF%20Standard.pdf) (PDF). CSIRO. Retrieved 29 November 2011.\n36. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Cooke_36-0)**\n    Cooke, Brian D. (1997). *Analysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia*. Sydney: Meat Research Corporation.\n37. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-37)**\n    Asgari, S.; Hardy, J. R. E.; Cooke, B. D. (1 January 1999). \"Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release\". *Archives of Virology*. **144** (1): 135–145\\. [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1007\/s007050050490](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007%2Fs007050050490). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [0304-8608](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/0304-8608). [PMID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMID_\$identifier\$ \"PMID (identifier)\") [10076514](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10076514). [S2CID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/S2CID_\$identifier\$ \"S2CID (identifier)\") [21219285](https:\/\/api.semanticscholar.org\/CorpusID:21219285).\n38. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-PestSmart_38-0)**\n    [\"Rollout of RHDV K5: information guide\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20170305113324\/http:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF) on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.\n39. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-39)**\n    Bárcena, Juan; Morales, Mónica; Vázquez, Belén; Boga, José A.; Parra, Francisco; Lucientes, Javier; Pagès-Manté, Albert; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José M.; Blasco, Rafael; Torres, Juan M. (February 2000). [\"Horizontal Transmissible Protection against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease by Using a Recombinant Myxoma Virus\"](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC111445). *Journal of Virology*. **74** (3): 1114–1123\\. [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1128\/JVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128%2FJVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [0022-538X](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/0022-538X). [PMC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMC_\$identifier\$ \"PMC (identifier)\") [111445](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC111445). [PMID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMID_\$identifier\$ \"PMID (identifier)\") [10627521](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10627521).\n40. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-40)**\n    [\"A team led by Doctor Francisco Parra, awarded for their innovative work in the field of animal health\"](http:\/\/www.uniovi.es\/en\/-\/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal). *[University of Oviedo](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Oviedo \"University of Oviedo\")*. 5 May 2015. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171021023531\/http:\/\/www.uniovi.es\/en\/-\/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.\n41. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-41)**\n    [\"RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)\"](https:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions\/). *PestSmart*. Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171021022959\/https:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions\/) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.\n42. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-42)**\n    [\"Rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release\"](https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/biological-control\/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release). *Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development*. Government of Western Australia. 21 June 2017. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171021022025\/https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/biological-control\/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.\n43. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-43)**\n    Ansede, Manuel (26 May 2017). [\"Australia libera un virus letal para arrasar sus poblaciones de conejos:Los expertos alertan de posibles efectos devastadores si el patógeno llega a España\"](https:\/\/elpais.com\/elpais\/2017\/05\/24\/ciencia\/1495644688_435337.html). *El País* (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 26 May 2017.\n44. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-44)**\n    Alyse Edwards (20 April 2014). [\"Rabbit meat disappearing from consumers' tables as farmers struggle with spiralling costs\"](https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2014-04-21\/rabbit-meat-disappearing-from-australian-tables\/5400586). [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation \"Australian Broadcasting Corporation\").\n\n## Further reading\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=11 \"Edit section: Further reading\")\\]\n\n- Coman, Brian (2010). *Tooth & Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia* (revised ed.). Melbourne: Text Publishing. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n  \n  [978-1-92-165638-5](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-1-92-165638-5 \"Special:BookSources\/978-1-92-165638-5\")\n  \n  .\n\n## External links\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=12 \"Edit section: External links\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Commons-logo.svg\/40px-Commons-logo.svg.png)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Commons-logo.svg)\n\nWikimedia Commons has media related to [Rabbits in Australia](https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Rabbits_in_Australia \"commons:Category:Rabbits in Australia\").\n\n- [The Rabbit in Australia (1979)](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LT0d990lauE)\n- [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Land line](http:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/landline\/stories\/s218676.htm)\n- [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Rabbiting On – Australian stories of experiences with the pest](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20090208223109\/http:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/rural\/features\/rabbitingon\/)\n- [CSIRO Protection for Pet rabbits](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20070304222740\/http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/communication\/rabbits\/qa4.htm)\n- [Culture Victoria – Nox All Rabbits video about rabbits and rabbit control in Australia](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20110306094416\/http:\/\/www.cv.vic.gov.au\/stories\/but-thats-another-story\/9395\/nox-all-rabbits\/)\n- [Rabbits in Australia](https:\/\/www.nma.gov.au\/explore\/features\/rabbits-in-australia) at National Museum Australia\n\n| [v](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Template:Australia_topics \"Template:Australia topics\") [t](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Template_talk:Australia_topics \"Template talk:Australia topics\") [e](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:EditPage\/Template:Australia_topics \"Special:EditPage\/Template:Australia 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Their spread may have been enhanced through the emergence of strong crossbreeds.\n\nVarious methods in the 20th century have been attempted to control the Australian rabbit population. Conventional methods include shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, but these had only limited success. From 1901 to 1907, a [rabbit-proof fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence \"Rabbit-proof fence\") was built in [Western Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Australia \"Western Australia\") in an unsuccessful attempt to contain the rabbits.[\\[2\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-2)[\\[3\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-3) The *[myxoma virus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myxoma_virus \"Myxoma virus\")*, which causes [myxomatosis](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myxomatosis \"Myxomatosis\"), was introduced into the rabbit population in the 1950s and had the effect of severely reducing the rabbit population. However, the survivors have since adapted and partially recovered their previous numbers. Domesticated rabbits are banned as pets in the state of [Queensland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland \"Queensland\").[\\[4\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-4)\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/72\/Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg\/330px-Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park,_Victoria,_1860s.jpg)\n\n[Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alfred,_Duke_of_Saxe-Coburg_and_Gotha \"Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha\"), rabbit shooting at [Barwon Park](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barwon_Park \"Barwon Park\"), Victoria in the 1860s\n\nRabbits were first introduced to Australia by the [First Fleet](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/First_Fleet \"First Fleet\") in 1788.[\\[5\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-5) They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in [Tasmania](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tasmania \"Tasmania\"), a newspaper article noted \"...the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony\" i.e., [New South Wales](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_South_Wales \"New South Wales\") (NSW).[\\[6\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-6) This clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, \"... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures...\" He also noted the scrubby, sandy rubble between Sydney and [Botany Bay](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Botany_Bay \"Botany Bay\") would be ideal for farming rabbits.[\\[7\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-7)\n\nEnclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by [Alexander Macleay](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alexander_Macleay \"Alexander Macleay\") at [Elizabeth Bay House](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elizabeth_Bay_House \"Elizabeth Bay House\"), \"a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game.\"[\\[8\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-8) In the 1840s, rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nIn 1857–1858, [Alexander Buchanan](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alexander_Buchanan_\$stockman\$ \"Alexander Buchanan (stockman)\"), overseer for [F. H. Dutton's](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frederick_Dutton_\$Australian_politician\$ \"Frederick Dutton (Australian politician)\") [Anlaby Estate](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anlaby_Estate \"Anlaby Estate\") in the Mid-North of [South Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Australia \"South Australia\"), released a number of rabbits for hunting sport. Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866, presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and protected from poachers by an Act of Parliament, but by 1867 was out of control.[\\[9\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-9) The [population explosion](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Population_explosion \"Population explosion\") was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators, but the emergence of a hardier breed by [natural selection](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Natural_selection \"Natural selection\") has subsequently been attributed to their spread.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/47\/Rabbit_skins.jpg\/330px-Rabbit_skins.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit_skins.jpg)\n\nA load of rabbit skins, [Northern Tablelands](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Northern_Tablelands,_New_South_Wales \"Northern Tablelands, New South Wales\"), New South Wales\n\nThe current infestation appears to have originated with the release of at least 13 wild rabbits[\\[10\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-10) by [Thomas Austin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thomas_Austin_\$pastoralist\$ \"Thomas Austin (pastoralist)\") for [hunting](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hunting \"Hunting\") purposes in October 1859, on his property, [Barwon Park](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barwon_Park \"Barwon Park\"), near [Winchelsea](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Winchelsea,_Victoria \"Winchelsea, Victoria\"), Victoria and by 1866, the Geelong Advertiser reported 50,000 having been killed by hunters.[\\[11\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-11) While living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. At the time, he had stated, \"The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting\".[\\[12\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005-12) William could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon Park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were much more suited to Australian conditions.[\\[13\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-13) Many other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nThe rabbits were extremely prolific and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that might otherwise have been scrub or woodlands were, instead, turned into vast areas with low vegetation, creating ideal habitats for rabbits.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nIn a classic example of [unintended consequences](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unintended_consequences \"Unintended consequences\"), rabbits had become so prevalent within 10 years of their introduction in 1859 that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\nAlthough the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved useful to many people during the depressions of the 1890s and [1930s](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_Depression_in_Australia \"Great Depression in Australia\") and during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers, [stockmen](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stockman_\$Australia\$ \"Stockman (Australia)\"), and [stationhands](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Station_\$Australian_agriculture\$ \"Station (Australian agriculture)\") by providing food and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to [working dogs](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Working_dog#Working_dogs_in_Australia \"Working dog\") and boiled to be fed to poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcasses were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the [felt-hat industry](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Akubra \"Akubra\").[\\[14\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14)\n\n## Effects on Australia's ecology\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=2 \"Edit section: Effects on Australia's ecology\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Rabbit-erosion.jpg\/250px-Rabbit-erosion.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit-erosion.jpg)\n\nThe erosion of a gully in South Australia caused by rabbits overgrazing\n\nSince their introduction from Europe in the 19th century, the effect of rabbits on the ecology of Australia has been devastating. They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia.[\\[15\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) Rabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning [overgrazing](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Overgrazing \"Overgrazing\"). The rabbits would first deplete the natural pasture vegetation, and would then resort to consuming woody vegetation, which included small shrubs, and the leaves and bark of trees.[\\[15\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) The extent of plant species' loss is unknown at this time, though rabbits are known to often kill young trees in orchards, forests, and on properties by [ringbarking](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ringbarking \"Ringbarking\") them.[\\[14\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14)\n\nRabbits are also responsible for serious [erosion](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Erosion \"Erosion\") problems, as they eat native plants, leaving the [topsoil](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Topsoil \"Topsoil\") exposed and vulnerable to sheet, gully, and wind erosion. The removal of this topsoil is devastating to the land, as it takes many hundreds of years to regenerate.[\\[16\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-16)\n\nBy 1887, losses from rabbit damage compelled the New South Wales government to offer a [£](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pound_sterling \"Pound sterling\")25,000 reward, equivalent to [A\\$](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Australian_dollar \"Australian dollar\")3\\.9 million in 2022, for \"any method of success not previously known in the Colony for the effectual extermination of rabbits\".[\\[17\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-SMH1887-17) The commission received 1,456 suggestions, including several schemes involving biological controls (see below), but none was found to be both safe and effective.[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18)\n\nA [Royal Commission](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Royal_Commission \"Royal Commission\") was held to investigate the situation in 1901. Once the problem was understood, various control methods were tried to limit or reduce the population of rabbits in Australia. These methods had limited success until the introduction of biological control methods in the latter half of the 20th century.\n\n### Common control measures\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=4 \"Edit section: Common control measures\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG\/250px-Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Woolbrook_\$3\$.JPG)\n\nAn old poison cart, which distributed poisoned [baits](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bait_\$luring_substance\$ \"Bait (luring substance)\") to kill rabbits, Woolbrook, NSW\n\nShooting rabbits is one of the most common control methods and can successfully be used to keep already-low populations in check while providing food for people or pets, though it is ineffective for large-scale eradication.\n\nDestroying warrens through ripping (a procedure wherein rabbits are dismembered or buried alive as a bulldozer dragging sharp [tines](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tine_\$structural\$ \"Tine (structural)\") is driven over their warrens or burrows),[\\[19\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-19) ploughing, blasting, and fumigating is widely used, especially on large farms (known as \"stations\"). The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation.\n\n[Poisoning](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Poison \"Poison\") is probably the most widely used of the conventional techniques, as it requires the least effort and is capable of destroying a local population, though reinfestation given the mobility of the animal is almost inevitable. Laying baits of [pollard](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bran \"Bran\") laced with a [phosphorus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phosphorus \"Phosphorus\")\\-based poison,[\\[20\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-20) such as \"S.A.P.\" manufactured by [Sayers, Allport & Potter](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sayers,_Allport_%26_Potter \"Sayers, Allport & Potter\"), was an early method. The advantage of phosphorus is that in dry weather, assuming it has not been laid in clumps (obviated by use of a poison cart), it soon degrades to innocuous [phosphoric acid](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phosphoric_acid \"Phosphoric acid\") and presents no further danger to livestock or pets. It does, however, present a real fire risk, and concentrated fumes can be toxic to operators.[\\[21\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-21) More modern poisons for rabbit control are [sodium fluoroacetate](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sodium_fluoroacetate \"Sodium fluoroacetate\") (\"1080\") and [pindone](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pindone \"Pindone\").[\\[22\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-DAgWA-22)\n\nAnother technique is hunting using [ferrets](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ferret \"Ferret\"), wherein ferrets are deployed to chase the rabbits out to be shot or into nets set over the burrows. Since the number of rabbits ferrets can kill is limited,[\\[23\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-23) this is more a hunting activity than a serious control method. Although ferrets and other mustelid species are used as control measures, Australia has significantly fewer wild mustelids to prey on the invasive rabbits while in their warrens or burrows compared to Europe and the United States.[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24)\n\nHistorically, trapping was also frequently used; steel-jawed leg-holding traps were banned in most states in the 1980s on animal-cruelty grounds, though trapping continues at a lower level using rubber-jawed traps. All of these techniques are limited to working only in settled areas and are quite labour-intensive.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg\/250px-Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg)\n\nImpact of rabbit-proof fence, Cobar, New South Wales, 1905\n\nRing-fencing can be highly effective way of providing a rabbit-free area. In the 1880s, [James Moseley](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/James_Moseley_\$politician\$ \"James Moseley (politician)\") ringed Coondambo Station with wire netting and fenced off the watercourses; at the first heatwave, the rabbits perished of thirst. Shortly after 1900, he fenced off the deserted Yardea, Paney, Pondana, Yarloo, and Thurlga stations in the [Gawler Ranges](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gawler_Ranges \"Gawler Ranges\") with 150 miles (240 km) of wire netting, turning them within a few years from degraded land overrun with rabbits into a profitable sheep run.[\\[25\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-pastoral-25)\n\nWell-known modern examples, which also exclude foxes, dogs, and cats are [Warrawong](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Warrawong_Sanctuary \"Warrawong Sanctuary\") and [Yookamurra](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yookamurra_Sanctuary \"Yookamurra Sanctuary\") wildlife sanctuaries, pioneered by [John Wamsley](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_Wamsley \"John Wamsley\").\n\nTwo well-known examples of much more extensive fences are:\n\nIn July 1884, [Ernest James Stevens](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ernest_James_Stevens \"Ernest James Stevens\"), a member of the [Queensland Legislative Assembly](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Legislative_Assembly_of_Queensland \"Legislative Assembly of Queensland\"), proposed that the [Queensland government](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland_government \"Queensland government\") erect a fence to prevent the infestation of rabbits in New South Wales from spreading into Queensland (his [Logan electorate](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Electoral_district_of_Logan \"Electoral district of Logan\") being very close to the New South Wales border).[\\[26\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-26)\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/47\/Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff\/lossy-page1-250px-Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff.jpg)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe,_Christmas_1934.tiff)\n\nGate in the Rabbit Fence at Stanthorpe, Queensland, 1934\n\nIn 1893, a [rabbit-proof fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence_\$Queensland\$ \"Rabbit-proof fence (Queensland)\") was commenced in [Queensland](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland \"Queensland\"). It was progressively extended through the years. In 1997, a final segment was built connecting it to the [Dingo Fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dingo_Fence \"Dingo Fence\"). It extends from [Mount Gipps](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mount_Gipps,_Queensland \"Mount Gipps, Queensland\") (near [Rathdowney](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rathdowney,_Queensland \"Rathdowney, Queensland\")) to [Goombi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Goombi \"Goombi\") between [Chinchilla](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chinchilla,_Queensland \"Chinchilla, Queensland\") and [Miles](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Miles,_Queensland \"Miles, Queensland\").[\\[27\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-27)\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/65\/RabbitProofFence.JPG\/250px-RabbitProofFence.JPG)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:RabbitProofFence.JPG)\n\nThe No. 1 rabbit-fence in Western Australia (1926)\n\nFrom 1901 to 1907, the [rabbit-proof fence](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit-proof_fence \"Rabbit-proof fence\") was built in Western Australia between [Cape Keraudren](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cape_Keraudren \"Cape Keraudren\") and [Esperance](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Esperance,_Western_Australia \"Esperance, Western Australia\") to try to control the spread of the rabbit population from the east into Western Australian pastoral areas. Given that [European rabbits](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/European_rabbits \"European rabbits\") can both jump very high and burrow underground,[\\[28\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-28) a perfectly intact fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres, and whose gates farmers or graziers did not leave open for livestock or machinery, was still unlikely to succeed.\\[*[citation needed](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*\\] As such, the Number 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence, which was erected in 1901, failed to keep the rabbit population away from the protected area.[\\[29\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-29) Even after this large scale fence had failed, smaller scale fencing projects continued to make a successful appearance.[\\[24\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24)\n\n### Biological measures\n\\[[edit](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=8 \"Edit section: Biological measures\")\\]\n\n[![](https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png\/250px-Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png)\n\nMyxomatosis control trial, 1952\n\nReleasing rabbit-borne diseases has proven somewhat successful in controlling the population of rabbits in Australia, but such success as has been achieved did not occur as quickly as was hoped.\n\nAn offer by the New South Wales government of a £25,000 reward for a biological control of rabbits attracted the attention of [Louis Pasteur](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Louis_Pasteur \"Louis Pasteur\"), who proposed using [viral biological control](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Viral_biological_control \"Viral biological control\") methods including the use of [chicken cholera](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chicken_cholera \"Chicken cholera\") bacillus (now known as [*Pasteurella multocida*](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pasteurella#In_animals \"Pasteurella\")). Although that measure did not prove viable, the association with Pasteur accelerated the introduction of microbiology into Australia.[\\[30\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO2006-30)\n\nOn 16 April 1888, the New South Wales government appointed a royal commission \"to make a full and diligent inquiry as to whether or not the introduction of contagious diseases amongst rabbits by inoculation or otherwise, or the propagation of diseases natural to rabbits ... will be accompanied or followed by danger to human health or life, or to animal life other than rabbits, or to interfere injuriously with the profitable carrying on of agricultural or pastoral pursuits ...\" Under the aegis of the commission, tests were conducted at [Rodd Island](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rodd_Island \"Rodd Island\"), and although rabbits who were given food adulterated with chicken cholera bacillus were killed, no evidence was found of the contagion spreading to healthy rabbits.[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18)\n\nIn 1885, Professor [Archibald Watson](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Archibald_Watson_\$surgeon\$ \"Archibald Watson (surgeon)\") of the [University of Adelaide](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Adelaide \"University of Adelaide\") suggested releasing rabbits inoculated with [rabbit scab](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Rabbit_scab&action=edit&redlink=1 \"Rabbit scab (page does not exist)\") into an enclosed trial area.[\\[31\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-31)[\\[32\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-32) Limited trials suggested that the measure would be ineffective in the drier parts of the continent.\n\nIn September 1887, Dr Herbert Butcher (1854–1893) of [Wilcannia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wilcannia \"Wilcannia\") found a number of dead, emaciated rabbits at Tintinallogy Station. Dr H. Ellis of Sydney and he concluded that the animals had died of a novel disease, which they dubbed Tintinallogy virus. They felt it could be an effective control measure, but whatever the rabbits died from was never proved to be infectious or contagious. It may have been simple starvation caused by natural elements.[\\[18\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18)\n\nIn 1906 and 1907, [Jean Danysz](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jean_Danysz_\$biologist\$ \"Jean Danysz (biologist)\"), of the [Pasteur Institute](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pasteur_Institute \"Pasteur Institute\") of Paris, conducted trials on [Broughton Island](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Broughton_Island,_New_South_Wales \"Broughton Island, New South Wales\"), New South Wales, of a strain of *[Pasteurella](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pasteurella \"Pasteurella\")* bacteria he had developed, which proved to be specific to rabbits, but it proved to be a less-than-satisfactory control measure. Dr Danysz felt that Broughton Island was a poor choice of test site, and that extensive experiments should be conducted on the mainland. Frank Tidswell, who was his chief Australian collaborator, continued Danysz's trials after he left in 1907, and also began trials of the [Yalgogrin](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yalgogrin,_New_South_Wales \"Yalgogrin, New South Wales\"), Gundagai, and Picton microbes (named for the stations where infected rabbits were found), but financial support was lacking from the Federal government, or the collaboration of affected states, that would be necessary to prove that the measure safe and effective. The fact that these pathogens did not wipe out whole populations might have raised doubts as to their efficacy.[\\[33\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-33)\n\nIn 1950, following research conducted by [Frank Fenner](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frank_Fenner \"Frank Fenner\"), *[myxoma virus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Myxoma_virus \"Myxoma virus\")* was deliberately released into the rabbit population, causing it to drop from an estimated 600 million[\\[34\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-34) to around 100 million. Growing genetic resistance in the remaining rabbits had allowed the population to recover to 200–300 million by 1991.\n\nTo combat that trend, over three years from June 1991, the [Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commonwealth_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_Organisation \"Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation\") (CSIRO) comprehensively tested the potential of a *[Calicivirus](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Calicivirus \"Calicivirus\")*, which causes [rabbit haemorrhagic disease](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit_haemorrhagic_disease \"Rabbit haemorrhagic disease\") (RHD), for biological control of wild rabbits.[\\[35\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO-35) The virus escaped from a quarantine compound on [Wardang Island](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wardang_Island \"Wardang Island\"), South Australia, where the field tests were being carried out, and by late October 1995, it was recorded in rabbits at [Yunta](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yunta,_South_Australia \"Yunta, South Australia\") and [Gum Creek](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gum_Creek,_South_Australia \"Gum Creek, South Australia\"), in north-eastern South Australia.[\\[36\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Cooke-36) By the winter of 1996, the virus was established in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.[\\[37\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-37) The virus was discovered in these areas by analyzing livers of dead rabbits. The success of the virus was found to be higher in dry areas, because of a benign calicivirus found in the colder, wetter areas of Australia, which was immunising rabbits against the more virulent form.[\\[38\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-PestSmart-38)\n\nA legal vaccine exists in Australia for RHD, but no cure is known for either myxomatosis or RHD, and many affected pets have to be euthanized. In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus[\\[39\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-39) developed in Spain.\n\nA team headed by virologist Francisco Parra, working with the [University of Oviedo](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Oviedo \"University of Oviedo\"), in [Asturias](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asturias \"Asturias\"), northern Spain, identified a new variant of the virus in 2012.[\\[40\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-40) The pathogen, a new strain of K5 (RHDV1), is both extremely lethal and highly contagious.[\\[41\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-41) In 2017, it was released by Australian authorities at around 600 points on the continent. Owners of domestic rabbits were advised to vaccinate their animals.[\\[42\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-42)\n\nIn southern Europe, the scarcity of rabbits threatens the conservation of [endangered](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Endangered_species \"Endangered species\") [predator](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Predation \"Predation\") species higher up the [food chain](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Food_chain \"Food chain\"), that depend on small game such as rabbits. These include the [Iberian lynx](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iberian_lynx#Diet_and_hunting \"Iberian lynx\") and the [Iberian imperial eagle](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Spanish_imperial_eagle#Conservation \"Spanish imperial eagle\"). For this reason, biological warfare against rabbits in Australia is a serious concern for conservation activities in other parts of the world.[\\[43\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-43)\n\nThe cost of rabbit vaccination substantially raises the cost of rabbit meat in Australia; from 2004 to 2014, the number of farms dropped from 80 to 4, and the meat has become a rarity.[\\[44\\]](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-44)\n\n- [Cats in Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cats_in_Australia \"Cats in Australia\")\n- [CSIRO Hut](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CSIRO_Hut \"CSIRO Hut\")\n- [Easter Bilby](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Easter_Bilby \"Easter Bilby\")\n- [Rabbit plagues in Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbit_plagues_in_Australia \"Rabbit plagues in Australia\")\n\n1. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Alves2022_1-0)**\n   Alves, Joel; Carneiro, Miguel (2022). [\"A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia\"](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9436340). *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. **119** (35) e2122734119. [Bibcode](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bibcode_\$identifier\$ \"Bibcode (identifier)\"):[2022PNAS..11922734A](https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2022PNAS..11922734A). [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1073\/pnas.2122734119](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073%2Fpnas.2122734119). [PMC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMC_\$identifier\$ \"PMC (identifier)\") [9436340](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9436340). [PMID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMID_\$identifier\$ \"PMID (identifier)\") [35994668](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35994668).\n2. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-2)**\n   [\"Introduction\"](https:\/\/webarchive.nla.gov.au\/awa\/20040708140000\/http:\/\/pandora.nla.gov.au\/pan\/43156\/20040709\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/intro.htm). *The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, Centenary 1901–2001*. [National Library of Australia](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Library_of_Australia \"National Library of Australia\"). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/intro.htm) on 8 July 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2013.\n3. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-3)**\n   [\"State Barrier Fence overview\"](https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/invasive-species\/state-barrier-fence-overview). *Agriculture and Food*. Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 8 December 2022. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20141028021557\/https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/invasive-species\/state-barrier-fence-overview) from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2023.\n4. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-4)**\n   [\"Can I have a pet rabbit?\"](https:\/\/www.daf.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0009\/57780\/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF). *Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries*. 2020. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20201109033028\/https:\/\/www.daf.qld.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0009\/57780\/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2023.\n5. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-5)**\n   [\"Rabbits – fact sheet\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180612123155\/http:\/\/www.environment.nsw.gov.au\/pestsweeds\/RabbitFactsheet.htm). *NSW Office of Environment & Heritage*. 17 September 2015. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.environment.nsw.gov.au\/pestsweeds\/RabbitFactsheet.htm) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2015.\n6. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-6)** *Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser* 22 May 1827\n7. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-7)** Cunningham P. \\[1827\\] *Two years in New South Wales*, vol. 1, p. 304\n8. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-8)** Sydney Gazette 28 May 1831\n9. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-9)**\n   [\"House of Assembly\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article43013586). *[South Australian Register](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Australian_Register \"South Australian Register\")*. Adelaide. 1 November 1876. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.\n10. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-10)**\n    [\"European rabbit\"](https:\/\/agriculture.vic.gov.au\/biosecurity\/pest-animals\/established-pest-animal-species\/european-rabbit). Agriculture Victoria. 4 March 2024.\n11. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-11)** Berrow's Worcester Journal, Saturday 31 March 1866, p.6\n12. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005_12-0)**\n    [\"The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20050722133944\/http:\/\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/history.htm). *agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au*. 22 July 2005. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au\/programs\/app\/barrier\/history.htm) on 22 July 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2023.\n13. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-13)**\n    [\"Geelong Rabbit Invasion\"](http:\/\/www.intown.com.au\/feature\/geelong-and-the-rabbit-invasion.htm). *In Town Geelong*. Retrieved 6 June 2016.\n14. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-1) Australian Encyclopaedia, Vol, VII, Grolier Society, Sydney\n15. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-1)\n    Cooke, Brain D. (2012). \"Rabbits: manageable environmental pests or participants in new Australian ecosystems?\". *Wildlife Research*. **39** (4): 279–289\\. [Bibcode](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bibcode_\$identifier\$ \"Bibcode (identifier)\"):[2012WildR..39..279C](https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2012WildR..39..279C). [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1071\/WR11166](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1071%2FWR11166). [S2CID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/S2CID_\$identifier\$ \"S2CID (identifier)\") [86639733](https:\/\/api.semanticscholar.org\/CorpusID:86639733).\n16. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-16)**\n    [\"Environmental Damage caused by Rabbits\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20121218144317\/http:\/\/www.pir.sa.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0006\/173733\/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.pir.sa.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0006\/173733\/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF) on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2014.\n17. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-SMH1887_17-0)**\n    [\"Advertising. – Extermination of rabbits\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article13649462). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald \"The Sydney Morning Herald\")*. Sydney. 7 September 1887. p. 11. Retrieved 21 July 2012.\n18. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-1) [***c***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-2)\n    [\"Politics Saved the Rabbit!\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article97120682). *[Queensland Country Life](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Queensland_Country_Life \"Queensland Country Life\")*. 24 November 1949. p. 14. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n19. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-19)**\n    Sharp, Trudy; Saunders, Glen (1 October 2004). [\"RABBIT WARREN DESTRUCTION BY RIPPING\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20100215045032\/http:\/\/www.environment.gov.au\/biodiversity\/invasive\/publications\/pubs\/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF). *Department of Environment*. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.environment.gov.au\/biodiversity\/invasive\/publications\/pubs\/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2009.\n20. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-20)**\n    [\"Rabbit Destruction by Phosphorus\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article56591808). *[The Register (Adelaide)](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Register_\$Adelaide\$ \"The Register (Adelaide)\")*. Vol. LXIX, no. 17, 973. South Australia. 21 June 1904. p. 3. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.\n21. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-21)**\n    [\"Correspondence\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article147677247). *[Great Southern Herald](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_Southern_Herald \"Great Southern Herald\")*. Vol. XXIX, no. 3, 139. Western Australia. 13 January 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.\n22. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-DAgWA_22-0)**\n    Farrelly, Gary; Paul Merks; Vertebrate Pest Research Services (2005), [\"Options for rabbit control\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20120325151145\/http:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/objtwr\/imported_assets\/content\/pw\/vp\/rab\/f08901.pdf) (PDF), *Farmnote No. 89\/2001*, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/objtwr\/imported_assets\/content\/pw\/vp\/rab\/f08901.pdf) (PDF) on 25 March 2012, retrieved 1 February 2011\n23. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-23)**\n    Cowan, D. P. (1 December 1984). \"The use of ferrets (Mustela furo) in the study and management of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)\". *Journal of Zoology*. **204** (4): 570–574\\. [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1111\/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [1469-7998](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/1469-7998).\n24. ^ [***a***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-0) [***b***](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-1)\n    Williams, Kent; Parer, Ian; Coman, Brian; Burley, John; Braysher, Mike (1995). *Managing Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits*. Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n    \n    [978-0-644-29623-6](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-0-644-29623-6 \"Special:BookSources\/978-0-644-29623-6\")\n    \n    . [OCLC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/OCLC_\$identifier\$ \"OCLC (identifier)\") [153977337](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/oclc\/153977337).\n25. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-pastoral_25-0)**\n    A. Dorothy Aldersey & R. Cockburn. *Pastoral Pioneers of South Australia I*.\n26. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-26)**\n    [\"Proceedings in Parliament\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article146684733). *[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maryborough_Chronicle,_Wide_Bay_and_Burnett_Advertiser \"Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser\")*. No. 3, 439. Queensland, Australia. 24 July 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.\n27. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-27)**\n    [\"Information on the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150226233249\/http:\/\/ddmrb.org.au\/About%20DDMRB.htm). [Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Darling_Downs-Moreton_Rabbit_Board \"Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board\"). 28 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.ddmrb.org.au\/About%20DDMRB.htm) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.\n28. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-28)**\n    MacDonald, David, ed. (2006). *The encyclopedia of mammals* (New ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 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Tas. 14 November 1885. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the Launceston Examiner. Retrieved 5 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n32. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-32)**\n    [\"Extermination of Rabbits\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article46830911). *[South Australian Register](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Australian_Register \"South Australian Register\")*. Adelaide. 3 November 1887. p. 5. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n33. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-33)**\n    [\"The Danysz Microbe\"](http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article12653959). *[The Mercury](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Mercury_\$Hobart\$ \"The Mercury (Hobart)\")*. Hobart, Tasmania. 20 February 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.\n34. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-34)** [The virus that stunned Australia's rabbits](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20111125204128\/http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/science\/Myxomatosis-History)\n35. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO_35-0)**\n    [\"Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD)\"](http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/resources\/~\/media\/CSIROau\/Divisions\/CSIRO%20Entomology\/RabbitCalicivirusDiseas_Ento_PDF%20Standard.pdf) (PDF). CSIRO. Retrieved 29 November 2011.\n36. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Cooke_36-0)**\n    Cooke, Brian D. (1997). *Analysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia*. Sydney: Meat Research Corporation.\n37. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-37)**\n    Asgari, S.; Hardy, J. R. E.; Cooke, B. D. (1 January 1999). \"Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release\". *Archives of Virology*. **144** (1): 135–145\\. [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1007\/s007050050490](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007%2Fs007050050490). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [0304-8608](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/0304-8608). [PMID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMID_\$identifier\$ \"PMID (identifier)\") [10076514](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10076514). [S2CID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/S2CID_\$identifier\$ \"S2CID (identifier)\") [21219285](https:\/\/api.semanticscholar.org\/CorpusID:21219285).\n38. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-PestSmart_38-0)**\n    [\"Rollout of RHDV K5: information guide\"](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20170305113324\/http:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF) on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.\n39. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-39)**\n    Bárcena, Juan; Morales, Mónica; Vázquez, Belén; Boga, José A.; Parra, Francisco; Lucientes, Javier; Pagès-Manté, Albert; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José M.; Blasco, Rafael; Torres, Juan M. (February 2000). [\"Horizontal Transmissible Protection against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease by Using a Recombinant Myxoma Virus\"](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC111445). *Journal of Virology*. **74** (3): 1114–1123\\. [doi](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Doi_\$identifier\$ \"Doi (identifier)\"):[10\\.1128\/JVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128%2FJVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000). [ISSN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISSN_\$identifier\$ \"ISSN (identifier)\") [0022-538X](https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/issn\/0022-538X). [PMC](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMC_\$identifier\$ \"PMC (identifier)\") [111445](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC111445). [PMID](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PMID_\$identifier\$ \"PMID (identifier)\") [10627521](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10627521).\n40. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-40)**\n    [\"A team led by Doctor Francisco Parra, awarded for their innovative work in the field of animal health\"](http:\/\/www.uniovi.es\/en\/-\/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal). *[University of Oviedo](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/University_of_Oviedo \"University of Oviedo\")*. 5 May 2015. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171021023531\/http:\/\/www.uniovi.es\/en\/-\/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.\n41. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-41)**\n    [\"RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)\"](https:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions\/). *PestSmart*. Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171021022959\/https:\/\/www.pestsmart.org.au\/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions\/) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.\n42. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-42)**\n    [\"Rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release\"](https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/biological-control\/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release). *Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development*. Government of Western Australia. 21 June 2017. [Archived](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171021022025\/https:\/\/www.agric.wa.gov.au\/biological-control\/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.\n43. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-43)**\n    Ansede, Manuel (26 May 2017). [\"Australia libera un virus letal para arrasar sus poblaciones de conejos:Los expertos alertan de posibles efectos devastadores si el patógeno llega a España\"](https:\/\/elpais.com\/elpais\/2017\/05\/24\/ciencia\/1495644688_435337.html). *El País* (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 26 May 2017.\n44. **[^](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-44)**\n    Alyse Edwards (20 April 2014). [\"Rabbit meat disappearing from consumers' tables as farmers struggle with spiralling costs\"](https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2014-04-21\/rabbit-meat-disappearing-from-australian-tables\/5400586). [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation \"Australian Broadcasting Corporation\").\n\n- Coman, Brian (2010). *Tooth & Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia* (revised ed.). Melbourne: Text Publishing. [ISBN](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ISBN_\$identifier\$ \"ISBN (identifier)\")\n  \n  [978-1-92-165638-5](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Special:BookSources\/978-1-92-165638-5 \"Special:BookSources\/978-1-92-165638-5\")\n  \n  .\n\n- [The Rabbit in Australia (1979)](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LT0d990lauE)\n- [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Land line](http:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/landline\/stories\/s218676.htm)\n- [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Rabbiting On – Australian stories of experiences with the pest](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20090208223109\/http:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/rural\/features\/rabbitingon\/)\n- [CSIRO Protection for Pet rabbits](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20070304222740\/http:\/\/www.csiro.au\/communication\/rabbits\/qa4.htm)\n- [Culture Victoria – Nox All Rabbits video about rabbits and rabbit control in Australia](https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20110306094416\/http:\/\/www.cv.vic.gov.au\/stories\/but-thats-another-story\/9395\/nox-all-rabbits\/)\n- [Rabbits in Australia](https:\/\/www.nma.gov.au\/explore\/features\/rabbits-in-australia) at National Museum Australia","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	A European rabbit in Tasmania European rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) were first introduced to Australia in the 18th century with the First Fleet , and later became widespread, because of Thomas Austin . [ 1 ] Such wild rabbit populations are a serious mammalian pest and invasive species in Australia causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops. Their spread may have been enhanced through the emergence of strong crossbreeds. Various methods in the 20th century have been attempted to control the Australian rabbit population. Conventional methods include shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, but these had only limited success. From 1901 to 1907, a rabbit-proof fence was built in Western Australia in an unsuccessful attempt to contain the rabbits. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The myxoma virus , which causes myxomatosis , was introduced into the rabbit population in the 1950s and had the effect of severely reducing the rabbit population. However, the survivors have since adapted and partially recovered their previous numbers. Domesticated rabbits are banned as pets in the state of Queensland . [ 4 ] Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh , rabbit shooting at Barwon Park , Victoria in the 1860s Rabbits were first introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788. [ 5 ] They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in Tasmania , a newspaper article noted "...the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony" i.e., New South Wales (NSW). [ 6 ] This clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, "... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures..." He also noted the scrubby, sandy rubble between Sydney and Botany Bay would be ideal for farming rabbits. [ 7 ] Enclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by Alexander Macleay at Elizabeth Bay House , "a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game." [ 8 ] In the 1840s, rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people. [ citation needed ] In 1857–1858, Alexander Buchanan , overseer for F. H. Dutton's Anlaby Estate in the Mid-North of South Australia , released a number of rabbits for hunting sport. Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866, presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and protected from poachers by an Act of Parliament, but by 1867 was out of control. [ 9 ] The population explosion was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators, but the emergence of a hardier breed by natural selection has subsequently been attributed to their spread. [ citation needed ] A load of rabbit skins, Northern Tablelands , New South Wales The current infestation appears to have originated with the release of at least 13 wild rabbits [ 10 ] by Thomas Austin for hunting purposes in October 1859, on his property, Barwon Park , near Winchelsea , Victoria and by 1866, the Geelong Advertiser reported 50,000 having been killed by hunters. [ 11 ] While living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. At the time, he had stated, "The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting". [ 12 ] William could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon Park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were much more suited to Australian conditions. [ 13 ] Many other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin. [ citation needed ] The rabbits were extremely prolific and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that might otherwise have been scrub or woodlands were, instead, turned into vast areas with low vegetation, creating ideal habitats for rabbits. [ citation needed ] In a classic example of unintended consequences , rabbits had become so prevalent within 10 years of their introduction in 1859 that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts. [ citation needed ] Although the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved useful to many people during the depressions of the 1890s and 1930s and during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers, stockmen , and stationhands by providing food and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to working dogs and boiled to be fed to poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcasses were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the felt-hat industry . [ 14 ] Effects on Australia's ecology [ edit ] The erosion of a gully in South Australia caused by rabbits overgrazing Since their introduction from Europe in the 19th century, the effect of rabbits on the ecology of Australia has been devastating. They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia. [ 15 ] Rabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning overgrazing . The rabbits would first deplete the natural pasture vegetation, and would then resort to consuming woody vegetation, which included small shrubs, and the leaves and bark of trees. [ 15 ] The extent of plant species' loss is unknown at this time, though rabbits are known to often kill young trees in orchards, forests, and on properties by ringbarking them. [ 14 ] Rabbits are also responsible for serious erosion problems, as they eat native plants, leaving the topsoil exposed and vulnerable to sheet, gully, and wind erosion. The removal of this topsoil is devastating to the land, as it takes many hundreds of years to regenerate. [ 16 ] By 1887, losses from rabbit damage compelled the New South Wales government to offer a £ 25,000 reward, equivalent to A$ 3.9 million in 2022, for "any method of success not previously known in the Colony for the effectual extermination of rabbits". [ 17 ] The commission received 1,456 suggestions, including several schemes involving biological controls (see below), but none was found to be both safe and effective. [ 18 ] A Royal Commission was held to investigate the situation in 1901. Once the problem was understood, various control methods were tried to limit or reduce the population of rabbits in Australia. These methods had limited success until the introduction of biological control methods in the latter half of the 20th century. Common control measures [ edit ] An old poison cart, which distributed poisoned baits to kill rabbits, Woolbrook, NSW Shooting rabbits is one of the most common control methods and can successfully be used to keep already-low populations in check while providing food for people or pets, though it is ineffective for large-scale eradication. Destroying warrens through ripping (a procedure wherein rabbits are dismembered or buried alive as a bulldozer dragging sharp tines is driven over their warrens or burrows), [ 19 ] ploughing, blasting, and fumigating is widely used, especially on large farms (known as "stations"). The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation. Poisoning is probably the most widely used of the conventional techniques, as it requires the least effort and is capable of destroying a local population, though reinfestation given the mobility of the animal is almost inevitable. Laying baits of pollard laced with a phosphorus -based poison, [ 20 ] such as "S.A.P." manufactured by Sayers, Allport & Potter , was an early method. The advantage of phosphorus is that in dry weather, assuming it has not been laid in clumps (obviated by use of a poison cart), it soon degrades to innocuous phosphoric acid and presents no further danger to livestock or pets. It does, however, present a real fire risk, and concentrated fumes can be toxic to operators. [ 21 ] More modern poisons for rabbit control are sodium fluoroacetate ("1080") and pindone . [ 22 ] Another technique is hunting using ferrets , wherein ferrets are deployed to chase the rabbits out to be shot or into nets set over the burrows. Since the number of rabbits ferrets can kill is limited, [ 23 ] this is more a hunting activity than a serious control method. Although ferrets and other mustelid species are used as control measures, Australia has significantly fewer wild mustelids to prey on the invasive rabbits while in their warrens or burrows compared to Europe and the United States. [ 24 ] Historically, trapping was also frequently used; steel-jawed leg-holding traps were banned in most states in the 1980s on animal-cruelty grounds, though trapping continues at a lower level using rubber-jawed traps. All of these techniques are limited to working only in settled areas and are quite labour-intensive. [ citation needed ] Impact of rabbit-proof fence, Cobar, New South Wales, 1905 Ring-fencing can be highly effective way of providing a rabbit-free area. In the 1880s, James Moseley ringed Coondambo Station with wire netting and fenced off the watercourses; at the first heatwave, the rabbits perished of thirst. Shortly after 1900, he fenced off the deserted Yardea, Paney, Pondana, Yarloo, and Thurlga stations in the Gawler Ranges with 150 miles (240 km) of wire netting, turning them within a few years from degraded land overrun with rabbits into a profitable sheep run. [ 25 ] Well-known modern examples, which also exclude foxes, dogs, and cats are Warrawong and Yookamurra wildlife sanctuaries, pioneered by John Wamsley . Two well-known examples of much more extensive fences are: In July 1884, Ernest James Stevens , a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly , proposed that the Queensland government erect a fence to prevent the infestation of rabbits in New South Wales from spreading into Queensland (his Logan electorate being very close to the New South Wales border). [ 26 ] Gate in the Rabbit Fence at Stanthorpe, Queensland, 1934 In 1893, a rabbit-proof fence was commenced in Queensland . It was progressively extended through the years. In 1997, a final segment was built connecting it to the Dingo Fence . It extends from Mount Gipps (near Rathdowney ) to Goombi between Chinchilla and Miles . [ 27 ] The No. 1 rabbit-fence in Western Australia (1926) From 1901 to 1907, the rabbit-proof fence was built in Western Australia between Cape Keraudren and Esperance to try to control the spread of the rabbit population from the east into Western Australian pastoral areas. Given that European rabbits can both jump very high and burrow underground, [ 28 ] a perfectly intact fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres, and whose gates farmers or graziers did not leave open for livestock or machinery, was still unlikely to succeed. [ citation needed ] As such, the Number 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence, which was erected in 1901, failed to keep the rabbit population away from the protected area. [ 29 ] Even after this large scale fence had failed, smaller scale fencing projects continued to make a successful appearance. [ 24 ] Biological measures [ edit ] Myxomatosis control trial, 1952 Releasing rabbit-borne diseases has proven somewhat successful in controlling the population of rabbits in Australia, but such success as has been achieved did not occur as quickly as was hoped. An offer by the New South Wales government of a £25,000 reward for a biological control of rabbits attracted the attention of Louis Pasteur , who proposed using viral biological control methods including the use of chicken cholera bacillus (now known as Pasteurella multocida ). Although that measure did not prove viable, the association with Pasteur accelerated the introduction of microbiology into Australia. [ 30 ] On 16 April 1888, the New South Wales government appointed a royal commission "to make a full and diligent inquiry as to whether or not the introduction of contagious diseases amongst rabbits by inoculation or otherwise, or the propagation of diseases natural to rabbits ... will be accompanied or followed by danger to human health or life, or to animal life other than rabbits, or to interfere injuriously with the profitable carrying on of agricultural or pastoral pursuits ..." Under the aegis of the commission, tests were conducted at Rodd Island , and although rabbits who were given food adulterated with chicken cholera bacillus were killed, no evidence was found of the contagion spreading to healthy rabbits. [ 18 ] In 1885, Professor Archibald Watson of the University of Adelaide suggested releasing rabbits inoculated with rabbit scab into an enclosed trial area. [ 31 ] [ 32 ] Limited trials suggested that the measure would be ineffective in the drier parts of the continent. In September 1887, Dr Herbert Butcher (1854–1893) of Wilcannia found a number of dead, emaciated rabbits at Tintinallogy Station. Dr H. Ellis of Sydney and he concluded that the animals had died of a novel disease, which they dubbed Tintinallogy virus. They felt it could be an effective control measure, but whatever the rabbits died from was never proved to be infectious or contagious. It may have been simple starvation caused by natural elements. [ 18 ] In 1906 and 1907, Jean Danysz , of the Pasteur Institute of Paris, conducted trials on Broughton Island , New South Wales, of a strain of Pasteurella bacteria he had developed, which proved to be specific to rabbits, but it proved to be a less-than-satisfactory control measure. Dr Danysz felt that Broughton Island was a poor choice of test site, and that extensive experiments should be conducted on the mainland. Frank Tidswell, who was his chief Australian collaborator, continued Danysz's trials after he left in 1907, and also began trials of the Yalgogrin , Gundagai, and Picton microbes (named for the stations where infected rabbits were found), but financial support was lacking from the Federal government, or the collaboration of affected states, that would be necessary to prove that the measure safe and effective. The fact that these pathogens did not wipe out whole populations might have raised doubts as to their efficacy. [ 33 ] In 1950, following research conducted by Frank Fenner , myxoma virus was deliberately released into the rabbit population, causing it to drop from an estimated 600 million [ 34 ] to around 100 million. Growing genetic resistance in the remaining rabbits had allowed the population to recover to 200–300 million by 1991. To combat that trend, over three years from June 1991, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) comprehensively tested the potential of a Calicivirus , which causes rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), for biological control of wild rabbits. [ 35 ] The virus escaped from a quarantine compound on Wardang Island , South Australia, where the field tests were being carried out, and by late October 1995, it was recorded in rabbits at Yunta and Gum Creek , in north-eastern South Australia. [ 36 ] By the winter of 1996, the virus was established in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. [ 37 ] The virus was discovered in these areas by analyzing livers of dead rabbits. The success of the virus was found to be higher in dry areas, because of a benign calicivirus found in the colder, wetter areas of Australia, which was immunising rabbits against the more virulent form. [ 38 ] A legal vaccine exists in Australia for RHD, but no cure is known for either myxomatosis or RHD, and many affected pets have to be euthanized. In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus [ 39 ] developed in Spain. A team headed by virologist Francisco Parra, working with the University of Oviedo , in Asturias , northern Spain, identified a new variant of the virus in 2012. [ 40 ] The pathogen, a new strain of K5 (RHDV1), is both extremely lethal and highly contagious. [ 41 ] In 2017, it was released by Australian authorities at around 600 points on the continent. Owners of domestic rabbits were advised to vaccinate their animals. [ 42 ] In southern Europe, the scarcity of rabbits threatens the conservation of endangered predator species higher up the food chain , that depend on small game such as rabbits. These include the Iberian lynx and the Iberian imperial eagle . For this reason, biological warfare against rabbits in Australia is a serious concern for conservation activities in other parts of the world. [ 43 ] The cost of rabbit vaccination substantially raises the cost of rabbit meat in Australia; from 2004 to 2014, the number of farms dropped from 80 to 4, and the meat has become a rarity. [ 44 ] Cats in Australia CSIRO Hut Easter Bilby Rabbit plagues in Australia ^ Alves, Joel; Carneiro, Miguel (2022). "A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia" . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . 119 (35) e2122734119. Bibcode : 2022PNAS..11922734A . doi : 10.1073/pnas.2122734119 . PMC 9436340 . PMID 35994668 . ^ "Introduction" . The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, Centenary 1901–2001 . National Library of Australia . Archived from the original on 8 July 2004 . Retrieved 28 July 2013 . ^ "State Barrier Fence overview" . Agriculture and Food . 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"Horizontal Transmissible Protection against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease by Using a Recombinant Myxoma Virus" . Journal of Virology . 74 (3): 1114– 1123. doi : 10.1128/JVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000 . ISSN 0022-538X . PMC 111445 . PMID 10627521 . ^ "A team led by Doctor Francisco Parra, awarded for their innovative work in the field of animal health" . University of Oviedo . 5 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017 . Retrieved 21 October 2017 . ^ "RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)" . PestSmart . Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017 . Retrieved 21 October 2017 . ^ "Rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release" . Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development . Government of Western Australia. 21 June 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017 . Retrieved 21 October 2017 . ^ Ansede, Manuel (26 May 2017). "Australia libera un virus letal para arrasar sus poblaciones de conejos:Los expertos alertan de posibles efectos devastadores si el patógeno llega a España" . El País (in Spanish). Spain . Retrieved 26 May 2017 . ^ Alyse Edwards (20 April 2014). "Rabbit meat disappearing from consumers' tables as farmers struggle with spiralling costs" . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Coman, Brian (2010). Tooth & Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia (revised ed.). Melbourne: Text Publishing. ISBN 978-1-92-165638-5 . The Rabbit in Australia (1979) Australian Broadcasting Corporation Land line Australian Broadcasting Corporation Rabbiting On – Australian stories of experiences with the pest CSIRO Protection for Pet rabbits Culture Victoria – Nox All Rabbits video about rabbits and rabbit control in Australia Rabbits in Australia at National Museum Australia
Markdown	[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#bodyContent) Main menu Main menu move to sidebar hide Navigation - [Main page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page "Visit the main page [z]") - [Contents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents "Guides to browsing Wikipedia") - [Current events](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events "Articles related to current events") - [Random article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random "Visit a randomly selected article [x]") - [About Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About "Learn about Wikipedia and how it works") - [Contact us](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us "How to contact Wikipedia") Contribute - [Help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents "Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia") - [Learn to edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Introduction "Learn how to edit Wikipedia") - [Community portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portal "The hub for editors") - [Recent changes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChanges "A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [r]") - [Upload file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard "Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia") - [Special pages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:SpecialPages "A list of all special pages [q]") [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/icons/enwiki-25.svg) ![Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg) ![The Free Encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) [Search](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search "Search Wikipedia [f]") Appearance - [Donate](https://donate.wikimedia.org/?wmf_source=donate&wmf_medium=sidebar&wmf_campaign=en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en) - [Create account](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Rabbits+in+Australia "You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory") - [Log in](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Rabbits+in+Australia "You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. 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[o]") ## Contents move to sidebar hide - [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia) - [1 History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#History) - [2 Effects on Australia's ecology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Effects_on_Australia's_ecology) - [3 Control measures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Control_measures) Toggle Control measures subsection - [3\.1 Common control measures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Common_control_measures) - [3\.2 Fences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Fences) - [3\.2.1 Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Queensland) - [3\.2.2 Western Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Western_Australia) - [3\.3 Biological measures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Biological_measures) - [4 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#See_also) - [5 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#References) - [6 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#Further_reading) - [7 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#External_links) Toggle the table of contents # Rabbits in Australia 15 languages - [Čeština](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invaze_kr%C3%A1l%C3%ADka_divok%C3%A9ho_v_Austr%C3%A1lii "Invaze králíka divokého v Austrálii – Czech") - [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AE%D8%B1%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%B4%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7_%D8%AF%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7 "خرگوش‌ها در استرالیا – Persian") - [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapins_en_Australie "Lapins en Australie – French") - [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A0%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%91%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%94 "ארנבים באוסטרליה – Hebrew") - [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conigli_in_Australia "Conigli in Australia – Italian") - [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%98%A4%EC%8A%A4%ED%8A%B8%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%BC%EB%A6%AC%EC%95%84%EC%9D%98_%ED%86%A0%EB%81%BC "오스트레일리아의 토끼 – Korean") - [Македонски](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B0%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8_%D0%B2%D0%BE_%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0 "Зајаци во Австралија – Macedonian") - [Deitsch](https://pdc.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaninchen_in_Australien "Kaninchen in Australien – Pennsylvania German") - [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kr%C3%B3lik_w_Australii "Królik w Australii – Polish") - [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D0%B2_%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B8 "Кролики в Австралии – Russian") - [Slovenščina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunci_v_Avstraliji "Kunci v Avstraliji – Slovenian") - [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaniner_i_Australien "Kaniner i Australien – Swedish") - [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%96_%D0%B2_%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%96%D1%97 "Кролі в Австралії – Ukrainian") - [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%E1%BB%8F_hoang_%E1%BB%9F_%C3%9Ac "Thỏ hoang ở Úc – Vietnamese") - 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[Download as PDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=show-download-screen "Download this page as a PDF file") - [Printable version](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&printable=yes "Printable version of this page [p]") In other projects - [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rabbits_in_Australia) - [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q2416147 "Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]") Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg/250px-Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg) A European rabbit in [Tasmania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania "Tasmania") [European rabbits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbit "European rabbit") (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were first introduced to [Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_$continent$ "Australia (continent)") in the 18th century with the [First Fleet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet "First Fleet"), and later became widespread, because of [Thomas Austin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_$pastoralist$ "Thomas Austin (pastoralist)").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Alves2022-1) Such wild rabbit populations are a serious [mammalian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal "Mammal") [pest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_$organism$ "Pest (organism)") and [invasive species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species "Invasive species") in Australia causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops. Their spread may have been enhanced through the emergence of strong crossbreeds. Various methods in the 20th century have been attempted to control the Australian rabbit population. Conventional methods include shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, but these had only limited success. From 1901 to 1907, a [rabbit-proof fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence "Rabbit-proof fence") was built in [Western Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Australia "Western Australia") in an unsuccessful attempt to contain the rabbits.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-2)[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-3) The [myxoma virus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxoma_virus "Myxoma virus"), which causes [myxomatosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis "Myxomatosis"), was introduced into the rabbit population in the 1950s and had the effect of severely reducing the rabbit population. However, the survivors have since adapted and partially recovered their previous numbers. Domesticated rabbits are banned as pets in the state of [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland "Queensland").[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-4) ## History \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: History")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg/330px-Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park,_Victoria,_1860s.jpg) [Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred,_Duke_of_Saxe-Coburg_and_Gotha "Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha"), rabbit shooting at [Barwon Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwon_Park "Barwon Park"), Victoria in the 1860s Rabbits were first introduced to Australia by the [First Fleet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet "First Fleet") in 1788.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-5) They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in [Tasmania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania "Tasmania"), a newspaper article noted "...the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony" i.e., [New South Wales](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales "New South Wales") (NSW).[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-6) This clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, "... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures..." He also noted the scrubby, sandy rubble between Sydney and [Botany Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany_Bay "Botany Bay") would be ideal for farming rabbits.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-7) Enclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by [Alexander Macleay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Macleay "Alexander Macleay") at [Elizabeth Bay House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Bay_House "Elizabeth Bay House"), "a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game."[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-8) In the 1840s, rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] In 1857–1858, [Alexander Buchanan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Buchanan_$stockman$ "Alexander Buchanan (stockman)"), overseer for [F. H. Dutton's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Dutton_$Australian_politician$ "Frederick Dutton (Australian politician)") [Anlaby Estate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anlaby_Estate "Anlaby Estate") in the Mid-North of [South Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australia "South Australia"), released a number of rabbits for hunting sport. Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866, presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and protected from poachers by an Act of Parliament, but by 1867 was out of control.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-9) The [population explosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_explosion "Population explosion") was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators, but the emergence of a hardier breed by [natural selection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_selection "Natural selection") has subsequently been attributed to their spread.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Rabbit_skins.jpg/330px-Rabbit_skins.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_skins.jpg) A load of rabbit skins, [Northern Tablelands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Tablelands,_New_South_Wales "Northern Tablelands, New South Wales"), New South Wales The current infestation appears to have originated with the release of at least 13 wild rabbits[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-10) by [Thomas Austin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_$pastoralist$ "Thomas Austin (pastoralist)") for [hunting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting "Hunting") purposes in October 1859, on his property, [Barwon Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwon_Park "Barwon Park"), near [Winchelsea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchelsea,_Victoria "Winchelsea, Victoria"), Victoria and by 1866, the Geelong Advertiser reported 50,000 having been killed by hunters.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-11) While living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. At the time, he had stated, "The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting".[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005-12) William could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon Park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were much more suited to Australian conditions.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-13) Many other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] The rabbits were extremely prolific and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that might otherwise have been scrub or woodlands were, instead, turned into vast areas with low vegetation, creating ideal habitats for rabbits.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] In a classic example of [unintended consequences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unintended_consequences "Unintended consequences"), rabbits had become so prevalent within 10 years of their introduction in 1859 that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] Although the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved useful to many people during the depressions of the 1890s and [1930s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_Australia "Great Depression in Australia") and during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers, [stockmen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockman_$Australia$ "Stockman (Australia)"), and [stationhands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_$Australian_agriculture$ "Station (Australian agriculture)") by providing food and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to [working dogs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_dog#Working_dogs_in_Australia "Working dog") and boiled to be fed to poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcasses were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the [felt-hat industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akubra "Akubra").[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14) ## Effects on Australia's ecology \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Effects on Australia's ecology")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Rabbit-erosion.jpg/250px-Rabbit-erosion.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit-erosion.jpg) The erosion of a gully in South Australia caused by rabbits overgrazing Since their introduction from Europe in the 19th century, the effect of rabbits on the ecology of Australia has been devastating. They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) Rabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning [overgrazing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overgrazing "Overgrazing"). The rabbits would first deplete the natural pasture vegetation, and would then resort to consuming woody vegetation, which included small shrubs, and the leaves and bark of trees.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) The extent of plant species' loss is unknown at this time, though rabbits are known to often kill young trees in orchards, forests, and on properties by [ringbarking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringbarking "Ringbarking") them.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14) Rabbits are also responsible for serious [erosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion "Erosion") problems, as they eat native plants, leaving the [topsoil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsoil "Topsoil") exposed and vulnerable to sheet, gully, and wind erosion. The removal of this topsoil is devastating to the land, as it takes many hundreds of years to regenerate.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-16) ## Control measures \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Control measures")\] By 1887, losses from rabbit damage compelled the New South Wales government to offer a [£](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling "Pound sterling")25,000 reward, equivalent to [A\$](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_dollar "Australian dollar")3\.9 million in 2022, for "any method of success not previously known in the Colony for the effectual extermination of rabbits".[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-SMH1887-17) The commission received 1,456 suggestions, including several schemes involving biological controls (see below), but none was found to be both safe and effective.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18) A [Royal Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Commission "Royal Commission") was held to investigate the situation in 1901. Once the problem was understood, various control methods were tried to limit or reduce the population of rabbits in Australia. These methods had limited success until the introduction of biological control methods in the latter half of the 20th century. ### Common control measures \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Common control measures")\] See also: [Animal population control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_population_control "Animal population control") [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG/250px-Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Woolbrook_$3$.JPG) An old poison cart, which distributed poisoned [baits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait_$luring_substance$ "Bait (luring substance)") to kill rabbits, Woolbrook, NSW Shooting rabbits is one of the most common control methods and can successfully be used to keep already-low populations in check while providing food for people or pets, though it is ineffective for large-scale eradication. Destroying warrens through ripping (a procedure wherein rabbits are dismembered or buried alive as a bulldozer dragging sharp [tines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tine_$structural$ "Tine (structural)") is driven over their warrens or burrows),[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-19) ploughing, blasting, and fumigating is widely used, especially on large farms (known as "stations"). The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation. [Poisoning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison "Poison") is probably the most widely used of the conventional techniques, as it requires the least effort and is capable of destroying a local population, though reinfestation given the mobility of the animal is almost inevitable. Laying baits of [pollard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran "Bran") laced with a [phosphorus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus "Phosphorus")\-based poison,[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-20) such as "S.A.P." manufactured by [Sayers, Allport & Potter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayers,_Allport_%26_Potter "Sayers, Allport & Potter"), was an early method. The advantage of phosphorus is that in dry weather, assuming it has not been laid in clumps (obviated by use of a poison cart), it soon degrades to innocuous [phosphoric acid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid "Phosphoric acid") and presents no further danger to livestock or pets. It does, however, present a real fire risk, and concentrated fumes can be toxic to operators.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-21) More modern poisons for rabbit control are [sodium fluoroacetate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_fluoroacetate "Sodium fluoroacetate") ("1080") and [pindone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pindone "Pindone").[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-DAgWA-22) Another technique is hunting using [ferrets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret "Ferret"), wherein ferrets are deployed to chase the rabbits out to be shot or into nets set over the burrows. Since the number of rabbits ferrets can kill is limited,[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-23) this is more a hunting activity than a serious control method. Although ferrets and other mustelid species are used as control measures, Australia has significantly fewer wild mustelids to prey on the invasive rabbits while in their warrens or burrows compared to Europe and the United States.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24) Historically, trapping was also frequently used; steel-jawed leg-holding traps were banned in most states in the 1980s on animal-cruelty grounds, though trapping continues at a lower level using rubber-jawed traps. All of these techniques are limited to working only in settled areas and are quite labour-intensive.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] ### Fences \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Fences")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg/250px-Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg) Impact of rabbit-proof fence, Cobar, New South Wales, 1905 Ring-fencing can be highly effective way of providing a rabbit-free area. In the 1880s, [James Moseley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Moseley_$politician$ "James Moseley (politician)") ringed Coondambo Station with wire netting and fenced off the watercourses; at the first heatwave, the rabbits perished of thirst. Shortly after 1900, he fenced off the deserted Yardea, Paney, Pondana, Yarloo, and Thurlga stations in the [Gawler Ranges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawler_Ranges "Gawler Ranges") with 150 miles (240 km) of wire netting, turning them within a few years from degraded land overrun with rabbits into a profitable sheep run.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-pastoral-25) Well-known modern examples, which also exclude foxes, dogs, and cats are [Warrawong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrawong_Sanctuary "Warrawong Sanctuary") and [Yookamurra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yookamurra_Sanctuary "Yookamurra Sanctuary") wildlife sanctuaries, pioneered by [John Wamsley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wamsley "John Wamsley"). Two well-known examples of much more extensive fences are: #### Queensland \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Queensland")\] Main article: [Darling Downs–Moreton Rabbit Board fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darling_Downs%E2%80%93Moreton_Rabbit_Board_fence "Darling Downs–Moreton Rabbit Board fence") In July 1884, [Ernest James Stevens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_James_Stevens "Ernest James Stevens"), a member of the [Queensland Legislative Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Assembly_of_Queensland "Legislative Assembly of Queensland"), proposed that the [Queensland government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_government "Queensland government") erect a fence to prevent the infestation of rabbits in New South Wales from spreading into Queensland (his [Logan electorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_district_of_Logan "Electoral district of Logan") being very close to the New South Wales border).[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-26) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff/lossy-page1-250px-Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe,_Christmas_1934.tiff) Gate in the Rabbit Fence at Stanthorpe, Queensland, 1934 In 1893, a [rabbit-proof fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence_$Queensland$ "Rabbit-proof fence (Queensland)") was commenced in [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland "Queensland"). It was progressively extended through the years. In 1997, a final segment was built connecting it to the [Dingo Fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingo_Fence "Dingo Fence"). It extends from [Mount Gipps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gipps,_Queensland "Mount Gipps, Queensland") (near [Rathdowney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathdowney,_Queensland "Rathdowney, Queensland")) to [Goombi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goombi "Goombi") between [Chinchilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchilla,_Queensland "Chinchilla, Queensland") and [Miles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles,_Queensland "Miles, Queensland").[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-27) #### Western Australia \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Western Australia")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/RabbitProofFence.JPG/250px-RabbitProofFence.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RabbitProofFence.JPG) The No. 1 rabbit-fence in Western Australia (1926) Main article: [Rabbit-proof fence (Western Australia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence_$Western_Australia$ "Rabbit-proof fence (Western Australia)") From 1901 to 1907, the [rabbit-proof fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence "Rabbit-proof fence") was built in Western Australia between [Cape Keraudren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Keraudren "Cape Keraudren") and [Esperance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperance,_Western_Australia "Esperance, Western Australia") to try to control the spread of the rabbit population from the east into Western Australian pastoral areas. Given that [European rabbits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbits "European rabbits") can both jump very high and burrow underground,[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-28) a perfectly intact fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres, and whose gates farmers or graziers did not leave open for livestock or machinery, was still unlikely to succeed.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] As such, the Number 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence, which was erected in 1901, failed to keep the rabbit population away from the protected area.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-29) Even after this large scale fence had failed, smaller scale fencing projects continued to make a successful appearance.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24) ### Biological measures \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Biological measures")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png/250px-Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png) Myxomatosis control trial, 1952 Releasing rabbit-borne diseases has proven somewhat successful in controlling the population of rabbits in Australia, but such success as has been achieved did not occur as quickly as was hoped. An offer by the New South Wales government of a £25,000 reward for a biological control of rabbits attracted the attention of [Louis Pasteur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Pasteur "Louis Pasteur"), who proposed using [viral biological control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_biological_control "Viral biological control") methods including the use of [chicken cholera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_cholera "Chicken cholera") bacillus (now known as [Pasteurella multocida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurella#In_animals "Pasteurella")). Although that measure did not prove viable, the association with Pasteur accelerated the introduction of microbiology into Australia.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO2006-30) On 16 April 1888, the New South Wales government appointed a royal commission "to make a full and diligent inquiry as to whether or not the introduction of contagious diseases amongst rabbits by inoculation or otherwise, or the propagation of diseases natural to rabbits ... will be accompanied or followed by danger to human health or life, or to animal life other than rabbits, or to interfere injuriously with the profitable carrying on of agricultural or pastoral pursuits ..." Under the aegis of the commission, tests were conducted at [Rodd Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodd_Island "Rodd Island"), and although rabbits who were given food adulterated with chicken cholera bacillus were killed, no evidence was found of the contagion spreading to healthy rabbits.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18) In 1885, Professor [Archibald Watson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Watson_$surgeon$ "Archibald Watson (surgeon)") of the [University of Adelaide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Adelaide "University of Adelaide") suggested releasing rabbits inoculated with [rabbit scab](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbit_scab&action=edit&redlink=1 "Rabbit scab (page does not exist)") into an enclosed trial area.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-31)[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-32) Limited trials suggested that the measure would be ineffective in the drier parts of the continent. In September 1887, Dr Herbert Butcher (1854–1893) of [Wilcannia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilcannia "Wilcannia") found a number of dead, emaciated rabbits at Tintinallogy Station. Dr H. Ellis of Sydney and he concluded that the animals had died of a novel disease, which they dubbed Tintinallogy virus. They felt it could be an effective control measure, but whatever the rabbits died from was never proved to be infectious or contagious. It may have been simple starvation caused by natural elements.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18) In 1906 and 1907, [Jean Danysz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Danysz_$biologist$ "Jean Danysz (biologist)"), of the [Pasteur Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteur_Institute "Pasteur Institute") of Paris, conducted trials on [Broughton Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broughton_Island,_New_South_Wales "Broughton Island, New South Wales"), New South Wales, of a strain of [Pasteurella](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurella "Pasteurella") bacteria he had developed, which proved to be specific to rabbits, but it proved to be a less-than-satisfactory control measure. Dr Danysz felt that Broughton Island was a poor choice of test site, and that extensive experiments should be conducted on the mainland. Frank Tidswell, who was his chief Australian collaborator, continued Danysz's trials after he left in 1907, and also began trials of the [Yalgogrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalgogrin,_New_South_Wales "Yalgogrin, New South Wales"), Gundagai, and Picton microbes (named for the stations where infected rabbits were found), but financial support was lacking from the Federal government, or the collaboration of affected states, that would be necessary to prove that the measure safe and effective. The fact that these pathogens did not wipe out whole populations might have raised doubts as to their efficacy.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-33) In 1950, following research conducted by [Frank Fenner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Fenner "Frank Fenner"), [myxoma virus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxoma_virus "Myxoma virus") was deliberately released into the rabbit population, causing it to drop from an estimated 600 million[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-34) to around 100 million. Growing genetic resistance in the remaining rabbits had allowed the population to recover to 200–300 million by 1991. To combat that trend, over three years from June 1991, the [Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_Organisation "Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation") (CSIRO) comprehensively tested the potential of a [Calicivirus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calicivirus "Calicivirus"), which causes [rabbit haemorrhagic disease](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_haemorrhagic_disease "Rabbit haemorrhagic disease") (RHD), for biological control of wild rabbits.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO-35) The virus escaped from a quarantine compound on [Wardang Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardang_Island "Wardang Island"), South Australia, where the field tests were being carried out, and by late October 1995, it was recorded in rabbits at [Yunta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunta,_South_Australia "Yunta, South Australia") and [Gum Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gum_Creek,_South_Australia "Gum Creek, South Australia"), in north-eastern South Australia.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Cooke-36) By the winter of 1996, the virus was established in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-37) The virus was discovered in these areas by analyzing livers of dead rabbits. The success of the virus was found to be higher in dry areas, because of a benign calicivirus found in the colder, wetter areas of Australia, which was immunising rabbits against the more virulent form.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-PestSmart-38) A legal vaccine exists in Australia for RHD, but no cure is known for either myxomatosis or RHD, and many affected pets have to be euthanized. In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-39) developed in Spain. A team headed by virologist Francisco Parra, working with the [University of Oviedo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oviedo "University of Oviedo"), in [Asturias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asturias "Asturias"), northern Spain, identified a new variant of the virus in 2012.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-40) The pathogen, a new strain of K5 (RHDV1), is both extremely lethal and highly contagious.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-41) In 2017, it was released by Australian authorities at around 600 points on the continent. Owners of domestic rabbits were advised to vaccinate their animals.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-42) In southern Europe, the scarcity of rabbits threatens the conservation of [endangered](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_species "Endangered species") [predator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation "Predation") species higher up the [food chain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_chain "Food chain"), that depend on small game such as rabbits. These include the [Iberian lynx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_lynx#Diet_and_hunting "Iberian lynx") and the [Iberian imperial eagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_imperial_eagle#Conservation "Spanish imperial eagle"). For this reason, biological warfare against rabbits in Australia is a serious concern for conservation activities in other parts of the world.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-43) The cost of rabbit vaccination substantially raises the cost of rabbit meat in Australia; from 2004 to 2014, the number of farms dropped from 80 to 4, and the meat has become a rarity.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-44) ## See also \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: See also")\] - ![flag](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_Australia.svg/40px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png)[Australia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Australia "Portal:Australia") - [Cats in Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_in_Australia "Cats in Australia") - [CSIRO Hut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSIRO_Hut "CSIRO Hut") - [Easter Bilby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Bilby "Easter Bilby") - [Rabbit plagues in Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_plagues_in_Australia "Rabbit plagues in Australia") ## References \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: References")\] 1. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Alves2022_1-0) Alves, Joel; Carneiro, Miguel (2022). ["A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9436340). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 119 (35) e2122734119. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_$identifier$ "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2022PNAS..11922734A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022PNAS..11922734A). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1073/pnas.2122734119](https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.2122734119). [PMC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMC_$identifier$ "PMC (identifier)") [9436340](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9436340). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_$identifier$ "PMID (identifier)") [35994668](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35994668). 2. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-2) ["Introduction"](https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040708140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/43156/20040709/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/intro.htm). The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, Centenary 1901–2001. [National Library of Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Australia "National Library of Australia"). Archived from [the original](http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/intro.htm) on 8 July 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2013. 3. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-3) ["State Barrier Fence overview"](https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/state-barrier-fence-overview). Agriculture and Food. Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 8 December 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141028021557/https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/state-barrier-fence-overview) from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2023. 4. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-4) ["Can I have a pet rabbit?"](https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/57780/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF). Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033028/https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/57780/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2023. 5. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-5) ["Rabbits – fact sheet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612123155/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/RabbitFactsheet.htm). NSW Office of Environment & Heritage. 17 September 2015. Archived from [the original](http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/RabbitFactsheet.htm) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2015. 6. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-6) Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser 22 May 1827 7. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-7) Cunningham P. \[1827\] Two years in New South Wales, vol. 1, p. 304 8. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-8) Sydney Gazette 28 May 1831 9. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-9) ["House of Assembly"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43013586). [South Australian Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australian_Register "South Australian Register"). Adelaide. 1 November 1876. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia. 10. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-10) ["European rabbit"](https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/european-rabbit). Agriculture Victoria. 4 March 2024. 11. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-11) Berrow's Worcester Journal, Saturday 31 March 1866, p.6 12. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005_12-0) ["The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050722133944/http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/history.htm). agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au. 22 July 2005. Archived from [the original](http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/history.htm) on 22 July 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2023. 13. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-13) ["Geelong Rabbit Invasion"](http://www.intown.com.au/feature/geelong-and-the-rabbit-invasion.htm). In Town Geelong. Retrieved 6 June 2016. 14. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-1) Australian Encyclopaedia, Vol, VII, Grolier Society, Sydney 15. ^ [a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-1) Cooke, Brain D. (2012). "Rabbits: manageable environmental pests or participants in new Australian ecosystems?". Wildlife Research. 39* (4): 279–289\. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_$identifier$ "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2012WildR..39..279C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012WildR..39..279C). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1071/WR11166](https://doi.org/10.1071%2FWR11166). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_$identifier$ "S2CID (identifier)") [86639733](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:86639733). 16. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-16) ["Environmental Damage caused by Rabbits"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121218144317/http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/173733/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/173733/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF) on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2014. 17. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-SMH1887_17-0) ["Advertising. – Extermination of rabbits"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13649462). [The Sydney Morning Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald "The Sydney Morning Herald"). Sydney. 7 September 1887. p. 11. Retrieved 21 July 2012. 18. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-1) [c](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-2) ["Politics Saved the Rabbit!"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97120682). [Queensland Country Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Country_Life "Queensland Country Life"). 24 November 1949. p. 14. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 19. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-19)* Sharp, Trudy; Saunders, Glen (1 October 2004). ["RABBIT WARREN DESTRUCTION BY RIPPING"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100215045032/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF). Department of Environment. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Archived from [the original](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2009. 20. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-20) ["Rabbit Destruction by Phosphorus"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56591808). [The Register (Adelaide)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Register_$Adelaide$ "The Register (Adelaide)"). Vol. LXIX, no. 17, 973. South Australia. 21 June 1904. p. 3. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia. 21. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-21) ["Correspondence"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147677247). [Great Southern Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Southern_Herald "Great Southern Herald"). Vol. XXIX, no. 3, 139. Western Australia. 13 January 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 22. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-DAgWA_22-0) Farrelly, Gary; Paul Merks; Vertebrate Pest Research Services (2005), ["Options for rabbit control"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120325151145/http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/pw/vp/rab/f08901.pdf) (PDF), Farmnote No. 89/2001, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, archived from [the original](http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/pw/vp/rab/f08901.pdf) (PDF) on 25 March 2012, retrieved 1 February 2011 23. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-23) Cowan, D. P. (1 December 1984). "The use of ferrets (Mustela furo) in the study and management of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)". Journal of Zoology. 204 (4): 570–574\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1111/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [1469-7998](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1469-7998). 24. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-1) Williams, Kent; Parer, Ian; Coman, Brian; Burley, John; Braysher, Mike (1995). Managing Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits. Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-644-29623-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-644-29623-6 "Special:BookSources/978-0-644-29623-6") . [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_$identifier$ "OCLC (identifier)") [153977337](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/153977337). 25. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-pastoral_25-0)* A. Dorothy Aldersey & R. Cockburn. Pastoral Pioneers of South Australia I. 26. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-26) ["Proceedings in Parliament"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146684733). [Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryborough_Chronicle,_Wide_Bay_and_Burnett_Advertiser "Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser"). No. 3, 439. Queensland, Australia. 24 July 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia. 27. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-27) ["Information on the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150226233249/http://ddmrb.org.au/About%20DDMRB.htm). [Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darling_Downs-Moreton_Rabbit_Board "Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board"). 28 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http://www.ddmrb.org.au/About%20DDMRB.htm) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015. 28. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-28) MacDonald, David, ed. (2006). The encyclopedia of mammals (New ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-19-920608-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-920608-7 "Special:BookSources/978-0-19-920608-7") . [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_$identifier$ "OCLC (identifier)") [83049827](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/83049827). 29. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-29) [Rolls, Eric C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Charles_Rolls "Eric Charles Rolls") (1969). They all ran wild: the story of pests on the land in Australia. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-207-95036-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-207-95036-0 "Special:BookSources/978-0-207-95036-0") . [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_$identifier$ "OCLC (identifier)") [924872335](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/924872335). 30. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO2006_30-0) Puls, Margaret, ed. (April 2006). ["A microbial history of Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071024144609/http://www.csiro.au/files/files/p6fr.pdf) (PDF). Livestock Horizons. 2 (2). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [1832-3677](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1832-3677). Archived from [the original](http://www.csiro.au/files/files/p6fr.pdf) (PDF) on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2018. 31. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-31) ["Agricultural Notes"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38307299). [Launceston Examiner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launceston_Examiner "Launceston Examiner"). Tas. 14 November 1885. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the Launceston Examiner. Retrieved 5 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 32. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-32) ["Extermination of Rabbits"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46830911). [South Australian Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australian_Register "South Australian Register"). Adelaide. 3 November 1887. p. 5. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 33. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-33) ["The Danysz Microbe"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12653959). [The Mercury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercury_$Hobart$ "The Mercury (Hobart)"). Hobart, Tasmania. 20 February 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 34. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-34) [The virus that stunned Australia's rabbits](https://web.archive.org/web/20111125204128/http://www.csiro.au/science/Myxomatosis-History) 35. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO_35-0) ["Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD)"](http://www.csiro.au/resources/~/media/CSIROau/Divisions/CSIRO%20Entomology/RabbitCalicivirusDiseas_Ento_PDF%20Standard.pdf) (PDF). CSIRO. Retrieved 29 November 2011. 36. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Cooke_36-0) Cooke, Brian D. (1997). Analysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia. Sydney: Meat Research Corporation. 37. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-37) Asgari, S.; Hardy, J. R. E.; Cooke, B. D. (1 January 1999). "Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release". Archives of Virology. 144 (1): 135–145\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1007/s007050050490](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs007050050490). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [0304-8608](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0304-8608). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_$identifier$ "PMID (identifier)") [10076514](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10076514). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_$identifier$ "S2CID (identifier)") [21219285](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:21219285). 38. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-PestSmart_38-0) ["Rollout of RHDV K5: information guide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170305113324/http://www.pestsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.pestsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF) on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017. 39. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-39) Bárcena, Juan; Morales, Mónica; Vázquez, Belén; Boga, José A.; Parra, Francisco; Lucientes, Javier; Pagès-Manté, Albert; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José M.; Blasco, Rafael; Torres, Juan M. (February 2000). ["Horizontal Transmissible Protection against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease by Using a Recombinant Myxoma Virus"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC111445). Journal of Virology. 74 (3): 1114–1123\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1128/JVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000](https://doi.org/10.1128%2FJVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [0022-538X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0022-538X). [PMC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMC_$identifier$ "PMC (identifier)") [111445](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC111445). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_$identifier$ "PMID (identifier)") [10627521](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10627521). 40. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-40) ["A team led by Doctor Francisco Parra, awarded for their innovative work in the field of animal health"](http://www.uniovi.es/en/-/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal). [University of Oviedo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oviedo "University of Oviedo"). 5 May 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021023531/http://www.uniovi.es/en/-/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017. 41. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-41) ["RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)"](https://www.pestsmart.org.au/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions/). PestSmart. Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021022959/https://www.pestsmart.org.au/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions/) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017. 42. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-42) ["Rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release"](https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biological-control/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release). Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Government of Western Australia. 21 June 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021022025/https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biological-control/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017. 43. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-43) Ansede, Manuel (26 May 2017). ["Australia libera un virus letal para arrasar sus poblaciones de conejos:Los expertos alertan de posibles efectos devastadores si el patógeno llega a España"](https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/05/24/ciencia/1495644688_435337.html). El País (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 26 May 2017. 44. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-44) Alyse Edwards (20 April 2014). ["Rabbit meat disappearing from consumers' tables as farmers struggle with spiralling costs"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-21/rabbit-meat-disappearing-from-australian-tables/5400586). [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation "Australian Broadcasting Corporation"). ## Further reading \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: Further reading")\] - Coman, Brian (2010). Tooth & Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia (revised ed.). Melbourne: Text Publishing. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-92-165638-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-92-165638-5 "Special:BookSources/978-1-92-165638-5") . ## External links \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=12 "Edit section: External links")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/40px-Commons-logo.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg) Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Rabbits in Australia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rabbits_in_Australia "commons:Category:Rabbits in Australia"). - [The Rabbit in Australia (1979)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0d990lauE) - [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Land line](http://www.abc.net.au/landline/stories/s218676.htm) - [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Rabbiting On – Australian stories of experiences with the pest](https://web.archive.org/web/20090208223109/http://www.abc.net.au/rural/features/rabbitingon/) - [CSIRO Protection for Pet rabbits](https://web.archive.org/web/20070304222740/http://www.csiro.au/communication/rabbits/qa4.htm) - [Culture Victoria – Nox All Rabbits video about rabbits and rabbit control in Australia](https://web.archive.org/web/20110306094416/http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/stories/but-thats-another-story/9395/nox-all-rabbits/) - [Rabbits in Australia](https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/features/rabbits-in-australia) at National Museum Australia \| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Australia_topics "Template:Australia topics") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Australia_topics "Template talk:Australia topics") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Australia_topics "Special:EditPage/Template:Australia topics")[Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") articles \| \| \|---\|---\| \| 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Readable Markdown	[![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg/250px-Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oryctolagus_cuniculus_Tasmania_2.jpg) A European rabbit in [Tasmania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania "Tasmania") [European rabbits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbit "European rabbit") (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were first introduced to [Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_$continent$ "Australia (continent)") in the 18th century with the [First Fleet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet "First Fleet"), and later became widespread, because of [Thomas Austin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_$pastoralist$ "Thomas Austin (pastoralist)").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Alves2022-1) Such wild rabbit populations are a serious [mammalian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal "Mammal") [pest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_$organism$ "Pest (organism)") and [invasive species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species "Invasive species") in Australia causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops. Their spread may have been enhanced through the emergence of strong crossbreeds. Various methods in the 20th century have been attempted to control the Australian rabbit population. Conventional methods include shooting rabbits and destroying their warrens, but these had only limited success. From 1901 to 1907, a [rabbit-proof fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence "Rabbit-proof fence") was built in [Western Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Australia "Western Australia") in an unsuccessful attempt to contain the rabbits.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-2)[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-3) The [myxoma virus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxoma_virus "Myxoma virus"), which causes [myxomatosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis "Myxomatosis"), was introduced into the rabbit population in the 1950s and had the effect of severely reducing the rabbit population. However, the survivors have since adapted and partially recovered their previous numbers. Domesticated rabbits are banned as pets in the state of [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland "Queensland").[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-4) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg/330px-Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park%2C_Victoria%2C_1860s.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_shooting_at_Barwon_Park,_Victoria,_1860s.jpg) [Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred,_Duke_of_Saxe-Coburg_and_Gotha "Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha"), rabbit shooting at [Barwon Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwon_Park "Barwon Park"), Victoria in the 1860s Rabbits were first introduced to Australia by the [First Fleet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet "First Fleet") in 1788.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-5) They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in [Tasmania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania "Tasmania"), a newspaper article noted "...the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony" i.e., [New South Wales](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales "New South Wales") (NSW).[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-6) This clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, "... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures..." He also noted the scrubby, sandy rubble between Sydney and [Botany Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany_Bay "Botany Bay") would be ideal for farming rabbits.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-7) Enclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by [Alexander Macleay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Macleay "Alexander Macleay") at [Elizabeth Bay House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Bay_House "Elizabeth Bay House"), "a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game."[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-8) In the 1840s, rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] In 1857–1858, [Alexander Buchanan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Buchanan_$stockman$ "Alexander Buchanan (stockman)"), overseer for [F. H. Dutton's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Dutton_$Australian_politician$ "Frederick Dutton (Australian politician)") [Anlaby Estate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anlaby_Estate "Anlaby Estate") in the Mid-North of [South Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australia "South Australia"), released a number of rabbits for hunting sport. Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866, presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and protected from poachers by an Act of Parliament, but by 1867 was out of control.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-9) The [population explosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_explosion "Population explosion") was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators, but the emergence of a hardier breed by [natural selection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_selection "Natural selection") has subsequently been attributed to their spread.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Rabbit_skins.jpg/330px-Rabbit_skins.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_skins.jpg) A load of rabbit skins, [Northern Tablelands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Tablelands,_New_South_Wales "Northern Tablelands, New South Wales"), New South Wales The current infestation appears to have originated with the release of at least 13 wild rabbits[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-10) by [Thomas Austin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_$pastoralist$ "Thomas Austin (pastoralist)") for [hunting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting "Hunting") purposes in October 1859, on his property, [Barwon Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwon_Park "Barwon Park"), near [Winchelsea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchelsea,_Victoria "Winchelsea, Victoria"), Victoria and by 1866, the Geelong Advertiser reported 50,000 having been killed by hunters.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-11) While living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges, and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. At the time, he had stated, "The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting".[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005-12) William could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon Park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were much more suited to Australian conditions.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-13) Many other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] The rabbits were extremely prolific and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that might otherwise have been scrub or woodlands were, instead, turned into vast areas with low vegetation, creating ideal habitats for rabbits.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] In a classic example of [unintended consequences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unintended_consequences "Unintended consequences"), rabbits had become so prevalent within 10 years of their introduction in 1859 that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] Although the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved useful to many people during the depressions of the 1890s and [1930s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_Australia "Great Depression in Australia") and during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers, [stockmen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockman_$Australia$ "Stockman (Australia)"), and [stationhands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_$Australian_agriculture$ "Station (Australian agriculture)") by providing food and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to [working dogs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_dog#Working_dogs_in_Australia "Working dog") and boiled to be fed to poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcasses were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the [felt-hat industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akubra "Akubra").[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14) ## Effects on Australia's ecology \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Effects on Australia's ecology")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Rabbit-erosion.jpg/250px-Rabbit-erosion.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit-erosion.jpg) The erosion of a gully in South Australia caused by rabbits overgrazing Since their introduction from Europe in the 19th century, the effect of rabbits on the ecology of Australia has been devastating. They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) Rabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning [overgrazing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overgrazing "Overgrazing"). The rabbits would first deplete the natural pasture vegetation, and would then resort to consuming woody vegetation, which included small shrubs, and the leaves and bark of trees.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:0-15) The extent of plant species' loss is unknown at this time, though rabbits are known to often kill young trees in orchards, forests, and on properties by [ringbarking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringbarking "Ringbarking") them.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-ReferenceA-14) Rabbits are also responsible for serious [erosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion "Erosion") problems, as they eat native plants, leaving the [topsoil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsoil "Topsoil") exposed and vulnerable to sheet, gully, and wind erosion. The removal of this topsoil is devastating to the land, as it takes many hundreds of years to regenerate.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-16) By 1887, losses from rabbit damage compelled the New South Wales government to offer a [£](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling "Pound sterling")25,000 reward, equivalent to [A\$](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_dollar "Australian dollar")3\.9 million in 2022, for "any method of success not previously known in the Colony for the effectual extermination of rabbits".[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-SMH1887-17) The commission received 1,456 suggestions, including several schemes involving biological controls (see below), but none was found to be both safe and effective.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18) A [Royal Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Commission "Royal Commission") was held to investigate the situation in 1901. Once the problem was understood, various control methods were tried to limit or reduce the population of rabbits in Australia. These methods had limited success until the introduction of biological control methods in the latter half of the 20th century. ### Common control measures \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Common control measures")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG/250px-Woolbrook_%283%29.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Woolbrook_$3$.JPG) An old poison cart, which distributed poisoned [baits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait_$luring_substance$ "Bait (luring substance)") to kill rabbits, Woolbrook, NSW Shooting rabbits is one of the most common control methods and can successfully be used to keep already-low populations in check while providing food for people or pets, though it is ineffective for large-scale eradication. Destroying warrens through ripping (a procedure wherein rabbits are dismembered or buried alive as a bulldozer dragging sharp [tines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tine_$structural$ "Tine (structural)") is driven over their warrens or burrows),[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-19) ploughing, blasting, and fumigating is widely used, especially on large farms (known as "stations"). The sandy soil in many parts of Australia makes ripping and ploughing a viable method of control, and both tractors and bulldozers are used for this operation. [Poisoning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison "Poison") is probably the most widely used of the conventional techniques, as it requires the least effort and is capable of destroying a local population, though reinfestation given the mobility of the animal is almost inevitable. Laying baits of [pollard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran "Bran") laced with a [phosphorus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus "Phosphorus")\-based poison,[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-20) such as "S.A.P." manufactured by [Sayers, Allport & Potter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayers,_Allport_%26_Potter "Sayers, Allport & Potter"), was an early method. The advantage of phosphorus is that in dry weather, assuming it has not been laid in clumps (obviated by use of a poison cart), it soon degrades to innocuous [phosphoric acid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid "Phosphoric acid") and presents no further danger to livestock or pets. It does, however, present a real fire risk, and concentrated fumes can be toxic to operators.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-21) More modern poisons for rabbit control are [sodium fluoroacetate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_fluoroacetate "Sodium fluoroacetate") ("1080") and [pindone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pindone "Pindone").[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-DAgWA-22) Another technique is hunting using [ferrets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret "Ferret"), wherein ferrets are deployed to chase the rabbits out to be shot or into nets set over the burrows. Since the number of rabbits ferrets can kill is limited,[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-23) this is more a hunting activity than a serious control method. Although ferrets and other mustelid species are used as control measures, Australia has significantly fewer wild mustelids to prey on the invasive rabbits while in their warrens or burrows compared to Europe and the United States.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24) Historically, trapping was also frequently used; steel-jawed leg-holding traps were banned in most states in the 1980s on animal-cruelty grounds, though trapping continues at a lower level using rubber-jawed traps. All of these techniques are limited to working only in settled areas and are quite labour-intensive.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg/250px-Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit_fence_Cobar_October_1905.jpg) Impact of rabbit-proof fence, Cobar, New South Wales, 1905 Ring-fencing can be highly effective way of providing a rabbit-free area. In the 1880s, [James Moseley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Moseley_$politician$ "James Moseley (politician)") ringed Coondambo Station with wire netting and fenced off the watercourses; at the first heatwave, the rabbits perished of thirst. Shortly after 1900, he fenced off the deserted Yardea, Paney, Pondana, Yarloo, and Thurlga stations in the [Gawler Ranges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawler_Ranges "Gawler Ranges") with 150 miles (240 km) of wire netting, turning them within a few years from degraded land overrun with rabbits into a profitable sheep run.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-pastoral-25) Well-known modern examples, which also exclude foxes, dogs, and cats are [Warrawong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrawong_Sanctuary "Warrawong Sanctuary") and [Yookamurra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yookamurra_Sanctuary "Yookamurra Sanctuary") wildlife sanctuaries, pioneered by [John Wamsley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wamsley "John Wamsley"). Two well-known examples of much more extensive fences are: In July 1884, [Ernest James Stevens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_James_Stevens "Ernest James Stevens"), a member of the [Queensland Legislative Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Assembly_of_Queensland "Legislative Assembly of Queensland"), proposed that the [Queensland government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_government "Queensland government") erect a fence to prevent the infestation of rabbits in New South Wales from spreading into Queensland (his [Logan electorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_district_of_Logan "Electoral district of Logan") being very close to the New South Wales border).[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-26) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff/lossy-page1-250px-Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe%2C_Christmas_1934.tiff.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gate_in_the_Rabbit_Fence_at_Stanthorpe,_Christmas_1934.tiff) Gate in the Rabbit Fence at Stanthorpe, Queensland, 1934 In 1893, a [rabbit-proof fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence_$Queensland$ "Rabbit-proof fence (Queensland)") was commenced in [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland "Queensland"). It was progressively extended through the years. In 1997, a final segment was built connecting it to the [Dingo Fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingo_Fence "Dingo Fence"). It extends from [Mount Gipps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gipps,_Queensland "Mount Gipps, Queensland") (near [Rathdowney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathdowney,_Queensland "Rathdowney, Queensland")) to [Goombi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goombi "Goombi") between [Chinchilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchilla,_Queensland "Chinchilla, Queensland") and [Miles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles,_Queensland "Miles, Queensland").[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-27) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/RabbitProofFence.JPG/250px-RabbitProofFence.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RabbitProofFence.JPG) The No. 1 rabbit-fence in Western Australia (1926) From 1901 to 1907, the [rabbit-proof fence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit-proof_fence "Rabbit-proof fence") was built in Western Australia between [Cape Keraudren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Keraudren "Cape Keraudren") and [Esperance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperance,_Western_Australia "Esperance, Western Australia") to try to control the spread of the rabbit population from the east into Western Australian pastoral areas. Given that [European rabbits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbits "European rabbits") can both jump very high and burrow underground,[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-28) a perfectly intact fence stretching for hundreds of kilometres, and whose gates farmers or graziers did not leave open for livestock or machinery, was still unlikely to succeed.\[[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")\] As such, the Number 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence, which was erected in 1901, failed to keep the rabbit population away from the protected area.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-29) Even after this large scale fence had failed, smaller scale fencing projects continued to make a successful appearance.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-:1-24) ### Biological measures \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbits_in_Australia&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Biological measures")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png/250px-Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Queensland_State_Archives_4855_Myxomatosis_experiment_Sherwood_c_1952.png) Myxomatosis control trial, 1952 Releasing rabbit-borne diseases has proven somewhat successful in controlling the population of rabbits in Australia, but such success as has been achieved did not occur as quickly as was hoped. An offer by the New South Wales government of a £25,000 reward for a biological control of rabbits attracted the attention of [Louis Pasteur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Pasteur "Louis Pasteur"), who proposed using [viral biological control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_biological_control "Viral biological control") methods including the use of [chicken cholera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_cholera "Chicken cholera") bacillus (now known as [Pasteurella multocida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurella#In_animals "Pasteurella")). Although that measure did not prove viable, the association with Pasteur accelerated the introduction of microbiology into Australia.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO2006-30) On 16 April 1888, the New South Wales government appointed a royal commission "to make a full and diligent inquiry as to whether or not the introduction of contagious diseases amongst rabbits by inoculation or otherwise, or the propagation of diseases natural to rabbits ... will be accompanied or followed by danger to human health or life, or to animal life other than rabbits, or to interfere injuriously with the profitable carrying on of agricultural or pastoral pursuits ..." Under the aegis of the commission, tests were conducted at [Rodd Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodd_Island "Rodd Island"), and although rabbits who were given food adulterated with chicken cholera bacillus were killed, no evidence was found of the contagion spreading to healthy rabbits.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18) In 1885, Professor [Archibald Watson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Watson_$surgeon$ "Archibald Watson (surgeon)") of the [University of Adelaide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Adelaide "University of Adelaide") suggested releasing rabbits inoculated with [rabbit scab](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rabbit_scab&action=edit&redlink=1 "Rabbit scab (page does not exist)") into an enclosed trial area.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-31)[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-32) Limited trials suggested that the measure would be ineffective in the drier parts of the continent. In September 1887, Dr Herbert Butcher (1854–1893) of [Wilcannia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilcannia "Wilcannia") found a number of dead, emaciated rabbits at Tintinallogy Station. Dr H. Ellis of Sydney and he concluded that the animals had died of a novel disease, which they dubbed Tintinallogy virus. They felt it could be an effective control measure, but whatever the rabbits died from was never proved to be infectious or contagious. It may have been simple starvation caused by natural elements.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-politics-18) In 1906 and 1907, [Jean Danysz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Danysz_$biologist$ "Jean Danysz (biologist)"), of the [Pasteur Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteur_Institute "Pasteur Institute") of Paris, conducted trials on [Broughton Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broughton_Island,_New_South_Wales "Broughton Island, New South Wales"), New South Wales, of a strain of [Pasteurella](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurella "Pasteurella") bacteria he had developed, which proved to be specific to rabbits, but it proved to be a less-than-satisfactory control measure. Dr Danysz felt that Broughton Island was a poor choice of test site, and that extensive experiments should be conducted on the mainland. Frank Tidswell, who was his chief Australian collaborator, continued Danysz's trials after he left in 1907, and also began trials of the [Yalgogrin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalgogrin,_New_South_Wales "Yalgogrin, New South Wales"), Gundagai, and Picton microbes (named for the stations where infected rabbits were found), but financial support was lacking from the Federal government, or the collaboration of affected states, that would be necessary to prove that the measure safe and effective. The fact that these pathogens did not wipe out whole populations might have raised doubts as to their efficacy.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-33) In 1950, following research conducted by [Frank Fenner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Fenner "Frank Fenner"), [myxoma virus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxoma_virus "Myxoma virus") was deliberately released into the rabbit population, causing it to drop from an estimated 600 million[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-34) to around 100 million. Growing genetic resistance in the remaining rabbits had allowed the population to recover to 200–300 million by 1991. To combat that trend, over three years from June 1991, the [Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_Organisation "Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation") (CSIRO) comprehensively tested the potential of a [Calicivirus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calicivirus "Calicivirus"), which causes [rabbit haemorrhagic disease](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_haemorrhagic_disease "Rabbit haemorrhagic disease") (RHD), for biological control of wild rabbits.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-CSIRO-35) The virus escaped from a quarantine compound on [Wardang Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardang_Island "Wardang Island"), South Australia, where the field tests were being carried out, and by late October 1995, it was recorded in rabbits at [Yunta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunta,_South_Australia "Yunta, South Australia") and [Gum Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gum_Creek,_South_Australia "Gum Creek, South Australia"), in north-eastern South Australia.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-Cooke-36) By the winter of 1996, the virus was established in Victoria, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-37) The virus was discovered in these areas by analyzing livers of dead rabbits. The success of the virus was found to be higher in dry areas, because of a benign calicivirus found in the colder, wetter areas of Australia, which was immunising rabbits against the more virulent form.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-PestSmart-38) A legal vaccine exists in Australia for RHD, but no cure is known for either myxomatosis or RHD, and many affected pets have to be euthanized. In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-39) developed in Spain. A team headed by virologist Francisco Parra, working with the [University of Oviedo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oviedo "University of Oviedo"), in [Asturias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asturias "Asturias"), northern Spain, identified a new variant of the virus in 2012.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-40) The pathogen, a new strain of K5 (RHDV1), is both extremely lethal and highly contagious.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-41) In 2017, it was released by Australian authorities at around 600 points on the continent. Owners of domestic rabbits were advised to vaccinate their animals.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-42) In southern Europe, the scarcity of rabbits threatens the conservation of [endangered](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_species "Endangered species") [predator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation "Predation") species higher up the [food chain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_chain "Food chain"), that depend on small game such as rabbits. These include the [Iberian lynx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_lynx#Diet_and_hunting "Iberian lynx") and the [Iberian imperial eagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_imperial_eagle#Conservation "Spanish imperial eagle"). For this reason, biological warfare against rabbits in Australia is a serious concern for conservation activities in other parts of the world.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-43) The cost of rabbit vaccination substantially raises the cost of rabbit meat in Australia; from 2004 to 2014, the number of farms dropped from 80 to 4, and the meat has become a rarity.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_note-44) - [Cats in Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_in_Australia "Cats in Australia") - [CSIRO Hut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSIRO_Hut "CSIRO Hut") - [Easter Bilby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Bilby "Easter Bilby") - [Rabbit plagues in Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_plagues_in_Australia "Rabbit plagues in Australia") 1. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Alves2022_1-0) Alves, Joel; Carneiro, Miguel (2022). ["A single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the biological invasion of Australia"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9436340). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 119 (35) e2122734119. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_$identifier$ "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2022PNAS..11922734A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022PNAS..11922734A). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1073/pnas.2122734119](https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.2122734119). [PMC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMC_$identifier$ "PMC (identifier)") [9436340](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9436340). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_$identifier$ "PMID (identifier)") [35994668](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35994668). 2. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-2) ["Introduction"](https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040708140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/43156/20040709/agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/intro.htm). The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, Centenary 1901–2001. [National Library of Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Australia "National Library of Australia"). Archived from [the original](http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/intro.htm) on 8 July 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2013. 3. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-3) ["State Barrier Fence overview"](https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/state-barrier-fence-overview). Agriculture and Food. Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 8 December 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141028021557/https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/state-barrier-fence-overview) from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2023. 4. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-4) ["Can I have a pet rabbit?"](https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/57780/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF). Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033028/https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/57780/keeping-rabbits-as-pets.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2023. 5. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-5) ["Rabbits – fact sheet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612123155/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/RabbitFactsheet.htm). NSW Office of Environment & Heritage. 17 September 2015. Archived from [the original](http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/RabbitFactsheet.htm) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2015. 6. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-6) Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser 22 May 1827 7. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-7) Cunningham P. \[1827\] Two years in New South Wales, vol. 1, p. 304 8. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-8) Sydney Gazette 28 May 1831 9. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-9) ["House of Assembly"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43013586). [South Australian Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australian_Register "South Australian Register"). Adelaide. 1 November 1876. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia. 10. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-10) ["European rabbit"](https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/european-rabbit). Agriculture Victoria. 4 March 2024. 11. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-11) Berrow's Worcester Journal, Saturday 31 March 1866, p.6 12. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au_2005_12-0) ["The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050722133944/http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/history.htm). agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au. 22 July 2005. Archived from [the original](http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/history.htm) on 22 July 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2023. 13. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-13) ["Geelong Rabbit Invasion"](http://www.intown.com.au/feature/geelong-and-the-rabbit-invasion.htm). In Town Geelong. Retrieved 6 June 2016. 14. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-ReferenceA_14-1) Australian Encyclopaedia, Vol, VII, Grolier Society, Sydney 15. ^ [a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:0_15-1) Cooke, Brain D. (2012). "Rabbits: manageable environmental pests or participants in new Australian ecosystems?". Wildlife Research. 39* (4): 279–289\. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_$identifier$ "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2012WildR..39..279C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012WildR..39..279C). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1071/WR11166](https://doi.org/10.1071%2FWR11166). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_$identifier$ "S2CID (identifier)") [86639733](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:86639733). 16. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-16) ["Environmental Damage caused by Rabbits"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121218144317/http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/173733/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/173733/Rtn08a.pdf) (PDF) on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2014. 17. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-SMH1887_17-0) ["Advertising. – Extermination of rabbits"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13649462). [The Sydney Morning Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald "The Sydney Morning Herald"). Sydney. 7 September 1887. p. 11. Retrieved 21 July 2012. 18. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-1) [c](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-politics_18-2) ["Politics Saved the Rabbit!"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97120682). [Queensland Country Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Country_Life "Queensland Country Life"). 24 November 1949. p. 14. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 19. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-19)* Sharp, Trudy; Saunders, Glen (1 October 2004). ["RABBIT WARREN DESTRUCTION BY RIPPING"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100215045032/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF). Department of Environment. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Archived from [the original](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/pubs/rab006-rabbit-warren-destruction-ripping.pdf) (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2009. 20. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-20) ["Rabbit Destruction by Phosphorus"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56591808). [The Register (Adelaide)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Register_$Adelaide$ "The Register (Adelaide)"). Vol. LXIX, no. 17, 973. South Australia. 21 June 1904. p. 3. Retrieved 1 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia. 21. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-21) ["Correspondence"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147677247). [Great Southern Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Southern_Herald "Great Southern Herald"). Vol. XXIX, no. 3, 139. Western Australia. 13 January 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 19 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 22. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-DAgWA_22-0) Farrelly, Gary; Paul Merks; Vertebrate Pest Research Services (2005), ["Options for rabbit control"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120325151145/http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/pw/vp/rab/f08901.pdf) (PDF), Farmnote No. 89/2001, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, archived from [the original](http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/pw/vp/rab/f08901.pdf) (PDF) on 25 March 2012, retrieved 1 February 2011 23. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-23) Cowan, D. P. (1 December 1984). "The use of ferrets (Mustela furo) in the study and management of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)". Journal of Zoology. 204 (4): 570–574\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1111/j.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1984.tb02391.x). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [1469-7998](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1469-7998). 24. ^ [*a](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-0) [b](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-:1_24-1) Williams, Kent; Parer, Ian; Coman, Brian; Burley, John; Braysher, Mike (1995). Managing Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits. Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-644-29623-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-644-29623-6 "Special:BookSources/978-0-644-29623-6") . [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_$identifier$ "OCLC (identifier)") [153977337](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/153977337). 25. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-pastoral_25-0)* A. Dorothy Aldersey & R. Cockburn. Pastoral Pioneers of South Australia I. 26. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-26) ["Proceedings in Parliament"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146684733). [Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryborough_Chronicle,_Wide_Bay_and_Burnett_Advertiser "Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser"). No. 3, 439. Queensland, Australia. 24 July 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia. 27. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-27) ["Information on the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150226233249/http://ddmrb.org.au/About%20DDMRB.htm). [Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darling_Downs-Moreton_Rabbit_Board "Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board"). 28 January 2015. Archived from [the original](http://www.ddmrb.org.au/About%20DDMRB.htm) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015. 28. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-28) MacDonald, David, ed. (2006). The encyclopedia of mammals (New ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-19-920608-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-920608-7 "Special:BookSources/978-0-19-920608-7") . [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_$identifier$ "OCLC (identifier)") [83049827](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/83049827). 29. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-29) [Rolls, Eric C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Charles_Rolls "Eric Charles Rolls") (1969). They all ran wild: the story of pests on the land in Australia. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-207-95036-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-207-95036-0 "Special:BookSources/978-0-207-95036-0") . [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_$identifier$ "OCLC (identifier)") [924872335](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/924872335). 30. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO2006_30-0) Puls, Margaret, ed. (April 2006). ["A microbial history of Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071024144609/http://www.csiro.au/files/files/p6fr.pdf) (PDF). Livestock Horizons. 2 (2). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [1832-3677](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1832-3677). Archived from [the original](http://www.csiro.au/files/files/p6fr.pdf) (PDF) on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2018. 31. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-31) ["Agricultural Notes"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38307299). [Launceston Examiner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launceston_Examiner "Launceston Examiner"). Tas. 14 November 1885. p. 2 Supplement: Supplement to the Launceston Examiner. Retrieved 5 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 32. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-32) ["Extermination of Rabbits"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46830911). [South Australian Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australian_Register "South Australian Register"). Adelaide. 3 November 1887. p. 5. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 33. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-33) ["The Danysz Microbe"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12653959). [The Mercury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercury_$Hobart$ "The Mercury (Hobart)"). Hobart, Tasmania. 20 February 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 3 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 34. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-34) [The virus that stunned Australia's rabbits](https://web.archive.org/web/20111125204128/http://www.csiro.au/science/Myxomatosis-History) 35. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-CSIRO_35-0) ["Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD)"](http://www.csiro.au/resources/~/media/CSIROau/Divisions/CSIRO%20Entomology/RabbitCalicivirusDiseas_Ento_PDF%20Standard.pdf) (PDF). CSIRO. Retrieved 29 November 2011. 36. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-Cooke_36-0) Cooke, Brian D. (1997). Analysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia. Sydney: Meat Research Corporation. 37. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-37) Asgari, S.; Hardy, J. R. E.; Cooke, B. D. (1 January 1999). "Sequence analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia: alterations after its release". Archives of Virology. 144 (1): 135–145\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1007/s007050050490](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs007050050490). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [0304-8608](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0304-8608). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_$identifier$ "PMID (identifier)") [10076514](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10076514). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_$identifier$ "S2CID (identifier)") [21219285](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:21219285). 38. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-PestSmart_38-0) ["Rollout of RHDV K5: information guide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170305113324/http://www.pestsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.pestsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RabbitRHDVK5_infopack_13-12-16-online.pdf) (PDF) on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017. 39. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-39) Bárcena, Juan; Morales, Mónica; Vázquez, Belén; Boga, José A.; Parra, Francisco; Lucientes, Javier; Pagès-Manté, Albert; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José M.; Blasco, Rafael; Torres, Juan M. (February 2000). ["Horizontal Transmissible Protection against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease by Using a Recombinant Myxoma Virus"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC111445). Journal of Virology. 74 (3): 1114–1123\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_$identifier$ "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1128/JVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000](https://doi.org/10.1128%2FJVI.74.3.1114-1123.2000). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_$identifier$ "ISSN (identifier)") [0022-538X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0022-538X). [PMC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMC_$identifier$ "PMC (identifier)") [111445](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC111445). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_$identifier$ "PMID (identifier)") [10627521](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10627521). 40. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-40) ["A team led by Doctor Francisco Parra, awarded for their innovative work in the field of animal health"](http://www.uniovi.es/en/-/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal). [University of Oviedo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oviedo "University of Oviedo"). 5 May 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021023531/http://www.uniovi.es/en/-/el-equipo-del-doctor-francisco-parra-distinguido-por-su-innovacion-en-el-campo-de-la-sanidad-animal) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017. 41. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-41) ["RHDV1 K5: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)"](https://www.pestsmart.org.au/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions/). PestSmart. Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021022959/https://www.pestsmart.org.au/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions/) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017. 42. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-42) ["Rabbit biocontrol: RHDV1 K5 national release"](https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biological-control/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release). Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Government of Western Australia. 21 June 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171021022025/https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biological-control/rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv1-k5-national-release) from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017. 43. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-43) Ansede, Manuel (26 May 2017). ["Australia libera un virus letal para arrasar sus poblaciones de conejos:Los expertos alertan de posibles efectos devastadores si el patógeno llega a España"](https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/05/24/ciencia/1495644688_435337.html). El País (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 26 May 2017. 44. [^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia#cite_ref-44) Alyse Edwards (20 April 2014). ["Rabbit meat disappearing from consumers' tables as farmers struggle with spiralling costs"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-21/rabbit-meat-disappearing-from-australian-tables/5400586). [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation "Australian Broadcasting Corporation"). - Coman, Brian (2010). Tooth & Nail: The Story of the Rabbit in Australia (revised ed.). Melbourne: Text Publishing. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_$identifier$ "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1-92-165638-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-92-165638-5 "Special:BookSources/978-1-92-165638-5") . - [The Rabbit in Australia (1979)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0d990lauE) - [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Land line](http://www.abc.net.au/landline/stories/s218676.htm) - [Australian Broadcasting Corporation Rabbiting On – Australian stories of experiences with the pest](https://web.archive.org/web/20090208223109/http://www.abc.net.au/rural/features/rabbitingon/) - [CSIRO Protection for Pet rabbits](https://web.archive.org/web/20070304222740/http://www.csiro.au/communication/rabbits/qa4.htm) - [Culture Victoria – Nox All Rabbits video about rabbits and rabbit control in Australia](https://web.archive.org/web/20110306094416/http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/stories/but-thats-another-story/9395/nox-all-rabbits/) - [Rabbits in Australia](https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/features/rabbits-in-australia) at National Museum Australia
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