November 6, 2015
Wildlife researchers are urging farmers to help monitor rabbit numbers during the impending release of a Korean strain of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus.
The virus, known as RHDV1 K5, aims to boost the effectiveness of the current RHDV1 strain released in 1996.
It will be available in autumn 2016.
Landholders, farmers, community groups and councils have been invited to participate in the final stages of the research to support the release of K5.
Invasive Animals CRC CEO Andreas Glanznig said the research was an important national collaborative project between multiple government and industry partners across Australia.
“We are asking all Australians to get involved and help us monitor rabbit numbers,” he said.
“You can take part by nominating to be a monitoring and/or release site. You can also get involved by downloading the free RabbitScan App to your phone and map rabbit sightings, helping us better understand where rabbits are.
“The more people who are involved across Australia, the more our ability to monitor rabbits and deliver effective pest management across the country will improve. We need your help.
“Rabbits don’t stop at fence lines and we need landholders, Landcare groups and councils alike to take a co-ordinated community-led approach to assist in monitoring the effectiveness of our management methods.
“K5 is not a silver bullet. The data collected by the community will be used to provide advice for land managers and farmers on the effectiveness of their management programs and best practice approaches for future management methods.”
- More information is available on the PestSmart website
