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

Comments

Community Survey provides clear direction for future pest management programs

More people than ever before have had their say on pest management in the Peel-Harvey region, with a 28% increase in participants on our previous survey in 2024. Rabbits remain the region's biggest concern Survey results confirm that rabbits remain the number one pest concern across every local government area, with foxes consistently ranking second. While these priorities were shared across the region, local differences also emerged. For example, feral pigs were identified as a much greater issue in Harvey than elsewhere, while cotton bush, Cape tulip and arum lily featured prominently in Ser pentine Jarrahdale and Murray. Continued demand for practical support The survey also provided valuable feedback on the support landholders would like to see from PHBG. Many respondents asked for more practical workshops, equipment demonstrations and on-ground advice, particularly around rabbit control and weed management. Rabbit management was by far the most requested workshop topic, follow...

H151 Bird influenza confirmed in WA

In June 2026, H5 (H151) bird flu was confirmed near Esperance on our south coast. Internationally this disease has caused deaths in more than 560 species of birds and 100 species of mammals. DPIRD is working with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to manage the state's response. The most up-to-date information will be available from the DPIRD alerts page .

Bridging research and practice: a recap of the Weed Manager’s Networking Day

Earlier in June, PHBG was delighted to host an informative and engaging Weed Manager’s Networking Day, with presentations by industry experts and scientists working in both private and public sectors. This event was specifically designed for land managers, who had only positive feedback for us after the event. Attendees said they found the speakers knowledgeable and their presentations both useful and educational. They particularly valued the opportunity to learn from these experts as well as other attendees about current programs and research. We also received several great ideas for future events - do you have any? Drop us a line and we'll add your idea to the list. Below are short summaries of the presentations. We encourage you to follow the links if you’d like to know more about the presenters or their work. Integrated weed management (IPM): What does this mean in revegetation or natural area management? Brett Kuhlmann, Vivacious Surrounds Integrated ...

News & Updates

Search This Blog