Feral rabbits in Hornsby Shire
Introduction to Australia
Rabbits were first introduced to Australia in 1788 upon the arrival of the First Fleet. In 1859 24 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were released for hunting purposes in Victoria by Thomas Austin, since then numbers have dramatically increased.
Rabbits have invaded Australia faster than any other introduced mammals due to several factors:
- their ability to breed rapidly
- their broad diet that enable them to survive on Australian natives plants
- their social structure that consistently disperses young into new areas
- living in burrows and warrens help them to survive extreme conditions.
Habitat and diet
Rabbits are herbivores with a generalist diet and consume about 30% of their body weight per day. Areas with an abundance of grass, seedlings, tree roots and small shrubs provide the best habitat. Feral rabbits usually live in a network of 10cm to 20cm wide underground burrows, called a warren. They find shelter in harbours, areas that provide them with protection from predators and climatic conditions.
Harbours used by rabbits can include hollow logs, low growing vegetation, rocks and discarded building and fence material.
Life Cycle
Breeding can be either seasonal or all year round, depending on the availability of food. Feral rabbits begin breeding at three months of age, with a gestation period of between 28 to 30 days.
On average female rabbits each year can give birth to five or six litters, each litter consisting of around five young. The average life span of a wild rabbit is two years.
Damage caused by rabbits
- Extensive grazing by feral rabbits can lead to the degradation of native vegetation.
- They compete with native animals for food and shelter, such the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus).
- Decrease native plant diversity.
- Threaten the survival of native species.
- Impact agricultural yields.
- Rabbits ring bark trees to sharpen their teeth.
- Damage infrastructure and historic sites by creating burrows under concrete which can destabilise builds.
Actions taken by public land managers
Public land managers in the northern Sydney area co-ordinate feral rabbit and fox control. Authorised and best practise methods are implemented that include the use of Foxoff baits, Pindone and Rabbit Calicivirus baits and to a lesser extent shooting.
These control methods can only be carried out by trained personnel with strong adherence to the strict chemical labels and legal restrictions. For example, control programs are limited to locations that meet the minimum area requirement and distance restrictions.
Over a decade ago public land managers formed the Urban Feral Animal Action Group, where they work together to utilise the resources available in minimising the impacts of pests. Its’ members, including Hornsby Shire Council have being working together to co-ordinate numerous management strategies.
What you can do
Report rabbits sightings
Please report any sightings to Rabbit Scan, a national program mapping the distribution of wild rabbits.
Take unwanted rabbits
- A.W.A.R.E: 0412 433 727
- Animal Welfare League: 9913 8731
- R.S.P.C.A Animal Shelter: 9770 7555
Participate in community rabbit control programs
In November 2011 Hornsby Shire Council held a community workshop in Arcadia where residents were trained on using authorised control methods for feral rabbits on their properties.
The participants gained an understanding of the legislation and occupational health and safety involved with the baiting of feral pest species. More workshops in the future are likely.
Useful legislation
- The National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974)
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1979)
- The Rural Lands Protection Act (1998) sections 55 and 156 outlines the responsibility of owners and occupiers of private and public lands in regards to pest control and eradication using lawful methods
- Pesticides Act 1999
Further Information
Visit the following websites for more information on feral rabbits:
