LANDHOLDERS are being urged to help monitor rabbit numbers during the run up to next autumn’s release of a Korean strain of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus, known as RHDV1 K5.
K5 is expected to boost the effectiveness of the current RHDV1 strain released in 1996.
Invasive Animals CRC chief executive officer Andreas Glanznig said the more people who were involved across Australia, the more the effective pest management could be delivered.
“We are asking all Australian’s to get involved and help us monitor rabbit numbers, you can take part by nominating to be a monitoring and/or release site,” Mr Glanznig said.
“Rabbits don’t stop at fence lines and we need landholders, Landcare groups and councils alike to take a coordinated community-led approach to assist in monitoring the effectiveness of our management methods.
“An integrated approach is crucial - 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.”
Anyone wanting to be involved in monitoring rabbits can also download the free RabbitScan App to their phone and contribute to a rabbit sightings map maintained by the Invasive Animals CRC.
Find out more via http://www.pestsmart.org.au/get-involved-as-a-monitoring-site.