January 20, 2006
By David Bauche
Singleton

SINGLETON could soon be in the grip of a rabbit plague, with warm temperatures and rainfall leading to an explosion in the rabbit numbers.

Recent weather conditions have led to good grass growth in the region and according to the Rural Land Protection Board ranger Simon Scoular, the favourable conditions could lead to an increase in the number of rabbits.

Changes in the natural geography of the Singleton region has also led Mr Scouler to believe that a rabbit plague could well be on the way.

As more and more small acreages spring up around the region, more grass is available to feed the pests.

And as the rabbit population grows, so does the populations of other feral species, including foxes and wild dogs, which feed on the rabbits.

As a result the Board is asking locals to be on the lookout for rabbits, with early treatment, the only way to keep their numbers in check.

"The board is constantly trying to fight the spread of the rabbits, but unless the public do their part, we are fighting a losing battle," Mr Scoular said.

"When people discover rabbits on their property they need to help us to control them."

Mr Scoular said the Board had been kept busy over recent weeks with a high number of reports of increasing rabbit populations.

He said that at the moment the board is running at full capacity, and that there may be some waiting periods.

"But there is plenty that people can do to help control the population themselves," he said.

"Keeping the rabbit population under control is not as simple as releasing myxomatosis or the calici-virus," he said.

"Only with a multi-pronged approach do we have a chance of stopping them."

According to Mr Scoular there is a number of different approaches that land holders can do to stem the tide of rabbits in the region.

"Most importantly they need to reduce the places that rabbits can live," he said.

"Rabbits love to hide in blackberries, under piles of wood and rubbish, even in pipes," Mr Scoular said.

"By clearing your land of these areas you are reducing the amount of space that can support a rabbit population."

Mr Scoular also said that the battle against the rabbits can also take in more active control methods.

"They can use fumicides, baits, shooting them or even traps to control the population, allowing the viruses time to get into the population," he said.

The Rural Lands Protection Board offers a number of products as well as advice on how to stem the increase in the number of rabbits in the region.

For more information on what can be done drop into their office at 98 John Street or call them on 6572 2944.

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