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CSIRO CORPORATE MEDIA RELEASE 95/77

SORRY BUGS - RABBIT POPULARITY PLUMMETS

Public opinion has swung against our worst animal pest - the European rabbit.

A study by Roy Morgan Research has found that the majority of Australians and New Zealanders perceive rabbits as pests or vermin and believe it is important that measures are taken to reduce rabbit numbers.

Because rabbits have destructive effects on native animals, vegetation, soil and agricultural areas, 96% of Australians and 98% of New Zealanders believe that rabbit control is important.

The majority of Australians (84%)and New Zealanders (89%) were able to name some of the environmental problems caused by rabbits.

There were only minor differences between Australians and New Zealanders in their perception of rabbits and their effects on the environment. Rural residents were slightly more aware of the effects of rabbits with a large proportion of urban residents also recognising rabbit induced environmental problems.

These results are encouraging to conservationists and land managers in inland Australia where rabbits are pushing many native plants and animals closer to extinction.

In both Australia and New Zealand a wide range of methods, including shooting, poisoning, myxomatosis and warren destruction, are currently used to control rabbits. These methods work, but new tools are needed to enhance and sustain their effectiveness.

Two biological control methods are currently under investigation. A disease, called Rabbit Calicivirus* Disease (RCD), which occurs naturally overseas, is being tested under quarantine on an island in South Australia.

Research is continuing into the genetic modification of the myxoma virus, which causes myxomatosis, to make rabbits infertile. This research will take several more years.

Survey respondents held a range of views on the acceptability of rabbit control methods. In Australia, the most acceptable method (84%) for reducing rabbit numbers was an infertility virus, which is a proposed control method being researched by the Vertebrate Biocontrol CRC.

With limited information about RCD, which is available but not yet approved, 68% of Australians believe it should be used to control rabbits. Others required further information about the effects of RCD on other species and the environment, its humaneness and the disease itself before deciding.

The trials follow three years of laboratory testing which showed that RCD does not cause disease in other animals and has potential to be a safe, effective and humane method of rabbit control. The current trials on Wardang Island will give people with the additional information they need to make an informed decision on RCD.

Trials with RCD began on Wardang Island in March this year. Results of those trials will determine whether an application will be made for mainland release of RCD. The trials are progressing well and early results support the laboratory findings.

The survey was commissioned by the Australian and New Zealand Rabbit Calicivirus Disease Program (ANZRCDP). A total of 1537 rural and urban Australians were interviewed and 356 New Zealanders, both samples considered to be representative samples.

For further information, please contact:

* Calicivirus pronounced cal-e-cee-virus

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