New feral rabbit resource boosts landholders’ control efforts
Landholders impacted by the increasing threat of feral rabbits will benefit from the launch of the third edition of the Glovebox Guide for Managing Feral Rabbits from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS).
The updated guide is a practical resource to help land managers understand how to manage rabbit populations effectively and reduce the damage they cause.
National Feral Rabbit Management Coordinator with CISS, Heidi Kleinert, said, “Rabbits remain one of Australia’s most widespread and damaging pest animals. They have serious, ongoing impacts on our nation’s agriculture, biodiversity and way of life,” Ms Kleinert said.
“This new edition is for anyone with a rabbit issue. It provides the latest in best practice rabbit management for land managers Australia-wide. It sets out information on how rabbits live and breed, outlines options for control – including biocontrols, describes monitoring techniques, and helps landholders develop a cost-effective rabbit management plan for their local situation.”
The guide follows an ‘assess–plan–manage–improve’ approach and outlines a staged process for long-term success – starting with knockdown, moving to knockout and finishing with mop-up actions to prevent reinfestation.
“This guide is designed to sit in an office, ute or toolbox – ready to be used when decisions need to be made,” Ms Kleinert said. “It backs people on the ground with clear, practical guidance, supporting national efforts to reduce rabbits impacts.”
“Action is what makes the difference in feral rabbit management,” Ms Kleinert said. “Real progress happens when landholders, community groups, councils and agencies are equipped with the best knowledge and tools so they can move beyond identifying the problem and coordinate their efforts on the ground.”
CISS gratefully acknowledges funding and support for this publication through the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board and Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia.
Copies of the new guide can be ordered online here.
Supporting quotes
Peter Day of Rabbit-Free Australia:
“The new edition has updated information on biocontrols and how knowledge of rabbit behaviour and biology is applied for best practice rabbit control.”
Craig Magnussen of Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board:
“Rabbit control can be hard – there are no silver bullets and there is no one size fits all – but it’s always possible. This guide helps land managers choose the right control option for their situation, to ensure they get the best control outcome for their effort and investment.”