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Citizen scientists needed to map rising rabbit resistance

 Peel-Harvey landholders are being asked to collect rabbit blood samples this summer, after new evidence suggests most local rabbits may now be immune to a key biocontrol tool, calicivirus.


Testing by the Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) earlier this year found that two-thirds of sampled rabbits carried antibodies to one or both strains of calicivirus. That means a broad release of the virus would likely have little effect on rabbit numbers.

PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell said the group now needs a much larger pool of samples to identify where the virus could still make a difference when released late this summer.

“Each year we plan staged calicivirus releases across the Peel-Harvey region,” she said.

“The study we did last summer was small but showed high resistance levels. To achieve the most effective impact this season, we need more samples from more properties.”

PHBG is calling on local shooters, whether landholders or professionals, to pick up a free ‘shooter’s pack’-- a testing kit containing everything required to collect rabbit blood samples.

“The results will guide us on where calicivirus will still be effective,” Teele said. “We have a large region to cover, so we’re hoping that anyone planning on doing some shooting over the next couple of months will help us out.”

Interested parties can email feralanimals@phbg.org to organise a shooter’s pack and check the eligibility of the property the rabbits will come from.

To be eligible, rabbits must come from within PHBG’s operational area, which covers the Shires of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Murray, Waroona and Harvey, and the City of Mandurah. Landowners interested in having their property considered as a release site must submit three to five samples.

Calicivirus (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus, RHDV) has been widely used in Australia since 1996, but its effectiveness has declined over time as rabbits evolve resistance — an expected challenge in long-running biocontrol programs.

Landholders can stay updated on PHBG’s work via Facebook, the PHBG website, or by subscribing to the quarterly seasonal newsletter.

ENDS

Shooter's pack or calicivirus release enquiries: feralanimals@phbg.org 

Media enquiries: media@phbg.org

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