A feral rabbit control program has been rolled out yet again in NSW and pet owners in Avalon Beach and nearby suburbs are still urged to vaccinate pet rabbits to ensure their protection.
The Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus program, also known as RHDV1-K5 RHDV program, has been released in mid-February to curb the growing number of feral rabbits damaging lands and livestock throughout the region.
Biosecurity experts said that these animals, declared as pests by the NSW, have to be controlled as it contributes to the decline of other native species. Every year, feral rabbits cost over $200 million in losses for farmers and landowners.
Since 2017, the RHDV program has been carried out to manage feral rabbits, dropping their population to 42 percent. The rollout this February 2021 is the fifth release.
However, domesticated rabbits could still be at risk because the virus can easily transfer through contact with other rabbits or via mosquito bites or flies within a significant distance. According to the RSPCA, the virus is able to survive for more than three months in the environment during the warm seasons and seven months and a half during moderate temperatures, hence recommendation to vaccinate pet rabbits.
RHDV has no effect on other animals.
“The virus is spread mainly by contact between rabbits or via insects such as mosquitos and flies, meaning it can travel significant distances. Importantly, RHDV doesn’t affect any other animals and if domestic rabbits are vaccinated, they become immune to it,” Greater Sydney Biosecurity Officer Jacob French said. “This program is designed to complement ongoing control efforts on private and public land.”
Areas affected by this current RHDV program rollout include Annangrove, Avalon Beach, Balgowlah Heights, Bella Vista, Berowra, Berowra Heights, Bilgola Plateau, Castle Hill, Chatswood, Collaroy, Cromer, Davidson, East Lindfield, Glenhaven, Gordon, Grose Vale, Ingleside, Kariong, Katoomba, Kenthurst, Killara, Kulnara, Kurrajong, Lindfield, Macquarie Park, Manly, Marsfield, Maraylya, Mona Vale, Mosman, Mount Colah, Mount Ku-ring-gai, Narrabeen, Narraweena, Newport, North Epping, North Turramurra, North Wahroonga, Palm Beach, Pymble, Roseville Chase, Rouse Hill, Ryde, Seaforth, South Turramurra, Spring Farm, Somersby, St Ives Chase, St Ives, Tahmoor, Turramurra, Wahroonga, Warrawee, West Pennant Hills, West Pymble, West Riverstone and North Richmond.
Meanwhile, pet rabbit owners are also advised to rabbit-proof their outdoor spaces to keep off wild rabbits or keep their pets indoors. Contact with unfamiliar pet rabbits must also be limited. Take out uneaten food as soon as possible to prevent flies. Apply decontamination protocols at home with the rabbit’s cage, bowls and the pet owner’s clothes and shoes, especially if they have been outside.