ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP

Patron: Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia Inc. His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Volume 11 September 2007

Page 1 A pastoralist’s view on the value of controlling rabbits

NRM Board support for rabbit 2 An interview with Mr Peter Rasheed, thousand sheep equivalence in the pad- control in the rangelands Pastoralist, South Australia dock before we stock it.

Committee Member Profile 2 Mr. RFA: What are the names, the location RFA: When did you begin to control rab- and areas of your properties in the range- bits and what methods do you use? Bunny bites: a bit of Australian 3 lands? PR: We started ripping warrens in 1996, history PR: Minburra, Koonamore and Melton but in 1989 the last owners ripped a Joint funding for eradication of 3 stations. They are located in the northeast 40sqkm paddock. rabbits on Macquarie Island pastoral district of South Australia. Total Impact of RHD on Raptor 3 area is 3151.7 sq km — Minburra 1095.9 We found that ripping is the most effective Reproductive Success sq km; Melton 819 sq km; Koonamore method of controlling rabbits, with virtually 1236.8 sq km. no warrens re-opening. In 1996, we used Research Seminar 2007 4 a Caterpillar D4E, with 2.5ft wing-boot RMAG proposes biological 4 RFA: What are your main production and tines. The method involved two passes control for rabbits conservation interests with the properties? over each warren. From 1998/9, we used Postgraduate Research Grant 5 PR: Main production is sheep and cattle. a 325hp Steiger tractor towing a 12ft sin- Since purchasing the properties, one of gle tine blade plough. The blade was Notice of Annual General 6 our main aims is to leave the property in a pulled through the ground, which proved Meeting better state than we found it. Eradicating to be more efficient than the D4, as it re- RFA / RZSSA Research Grant 6 rabbits will go a huge way in doing this. quired only one pass (up to approximately We plan to eradicate rabbits from the 18 warrens per hour). Since then, we have Membership & Donation Form 7 properties in order to develop the country purchased a Caterpiller D6R for the sole and increase production without requiring purpose of rabbit-ripping. This has three increased stocking rates (thus enabling tines of 3ft length with wing-boots, which native vegetation to regenerate). also requires only one pass (see image below). RFA: What threats do you believe rabbits pose to your business? Calicivirus (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease) Foundation for Rabbit-Free PR: Rabbits pose a considerable threat to has reduced rabbit numbers considerably, Australia Inc. 48 Oxford Terrace the country. For example, there have been so it is an ideal time to be ripping to eradi- Unley SA 5061 up to 1000 rabbit warrens in a paddock cate rabbits and the problems they pre- Tel: 0414 600 878 which previously ran 800-1000 dry sheep. sent. Email: Conservatively, the equivalence of one (Continued on page 5) [email protected] Web: www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au sheep per warren means that there is a

Supported by:

Peter Rasheed standing in front of the D6R bulldozer getting ready to go ripping! Image courtesy Jon Rasheed ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP Page 2

NRM Board support for rabbit control in the rangelands

The South Australian Arid times up to 95%, caused by The SAAL NRM Board RFA Lands Natural Resource Rabbit Haemorrhagic Dis- planned to continue support congratulates the Management (SAAL NRM) ease in the rangelands gave with rabbit control through its Board views rabbit control as them a fighting chance to current project, Pest Man- SAAL NRM a high priority in their strate- wipe out the remaining rab- agement & Rangelands Re- Board for their gic directions. The Range- bits. The RAP funding en- habilitation, which was initiative in lands Action Project (RAP), abled them to capitalise on funded for 2006/07 and is funded through the Austra- the low number of rabbits by expecting continued funding controlling rabbits lian Government’s Natural paying for a ripping contrac- for 2007/08. The new works in the Rangelands Heritage Trust Program be- tor who moved from property with this project will be ex- gan in 2001. It provided re- to property. Thousands of panded to include properties sources to control rabbits by warrens have already been in the North-East Pastoral, ripping warrens mainly in the ripped. Lake Frome and Lake Tor- Flinders Ranges. Funding for rens regions, as well as the the project finished in late Areas with rabbit control are central Flinders. Some 2,240 2006 with work still being now experiencing regenera- hours of ripping warrens over carried out in 2007 to com- tion of native bush and 30 properties in these re- plete some individual activi- grasses, including cover of gions occurred in 2006/07. ties. bare areas around previous warrens. Properties have Contact: The project culminated in also been able to retain stock Ms Sandy Gunter, Program land managers forming a during the dry period over Manager, SA Arid Lands NRM number of rabbit control the last couple of years Board, Pt Augusta. Ph. 08 8648 5982 groups in the area to tackle rather than agist them. Fur-

rabbit control on a coordi- ther benefits have been Ed. Comment: nated district basis rather achieved with the reduced RFA congratulates the SAAL than on individual properties. need for hand-feeding live- NRM Board and land managers Land managers recognised stock. for their initiative and actions in that the high mortalities, at controlling rabbits in the range- lands.

Rabbits in the wild taken August 2007 4km east of the mail road on the Parakylia / Billa Kalina boundary. Locals report that the numbers of rab- bits in the rangelands along the fence are the worst that they have seen for a decade. Image courtesy Bill Sandow, Dog Fence Board inspector.

Committee Member Profile: Mr. Tim Rogers

Tim joined the RFA Executive SA Sheep Advisory Group and vironmental Design and prac- Committee in 2005 as the more recently the SAFF Wine- ticed in South Australian Farmers Fed- grape Growers Committee. and Darwin prior to eration (SAFF) representative coming to SA. and has stayed on as an indi- Tim came to South Australia in vidual member since. 1990, farming in the lower South East of SA until He has formerly been a mem- 2003. He now lives in Ade- ber on various SAFF Commit- laide with his family and has a tees including Natural Re- vineyard and land in the Hills. sources and The Wool & Meat In a former life he has qualifi- Executive. He has Chaired the cations in Architecture and En- Photo: Tim Rogers Page 3 ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP

Bunny bites: a bit of Australian history

Let’s take the long view. temperate areas of Aus- allowing more rab- Rabbits have been a serious tralia. bits to survive and problem in Australia for 100 years ago, in 1907: also allowing them nearly 150 years now. • On 30th Sept the 2,023 to develop resis- mile rabbit-proof fence tance to the dis- 150 years ago, in 1857: across ease. The rabbit • Some feral rabbits were was completed at an aver- mortality due to living in Tasmania and age cost of ₤167/1/0 per myxomatosis hit a other places, but they had mile. Part of the construc- plateau in 1958. not spread and colonised tion and all of the mainte- large areas. nance was under the su- • The virulent pervision of the Rabbit Lausanne strain of 148 years ago, in 1859: Department, the myxoma virus was imported to • Thomas Austin of Barwon Australia, and per- Park near Geelong im- • Rabbits reached the lower mission received to ported 24 wild Scottish Macleay River in northern Rabbit with import the European rab- rabbits, along with 66 par- NSW, and Shark Bay in myxomatosis. bit flea Spilopsyllus cu- Image: www.feral.org.au, tridges and 4 hares. Other Western Australia. niculi. courtesy NSW Department people were importing of Primary Industries 50 years ago, in 1957: European species, includ- • A rabbit skinner could • It was clear that after ing rabbits, around this earn ₤7 a day. The aver- seven years the myxoma- time. Rabbits then spread age weekly wage was tosis virus was changing, rapidly throughout the about ₤10.

Joint funding for eradication of rabbits on Macquarie Island

RFA has received letters from Both Ministers informed us that wealth has also committed to both the Hon. Paula Wriedt, the Tasmanian and Common- $12.3 million. MHA, Minister for Tourism, wealth Governments have Arts & the Environment, Tas- agreed to jointly fund the Plan RFA applauds both Minis- mania, and the Hon. Malcolm to eradicate the rabbits and ters, and the Tasmanian Turnbull, Federal Minister for rodents there. and Commonwealth Gov- the Environment and Water ernments, for their com- Resources thanking the Foun- The Tasmanian Government is mitment to protect Mac- dation for their interest in the committing $8million in quarie Island for future eradication of rabbits and ro- 2009/10 and in 2010/11, and a generations. dents on Macquarie Island. further $2.3m in each of the Tussock vegetation final two years. The Common- on Macquarie island destroyed by rabbits. Impact of RHD on Raptor Reproductive Success

RFA partly-funded Ian Falken- whether drought or the effects of tion following good seasonal condi- berg, Department of Environment RHD influenced raptor activity. tions and sustained rabbit decline in and Heritage, to investigate the the area during the six years clearly impact of Rabbit Haemorrhagic In his recently-released report, Ian benefited other species of both prey Disease (RHD) on raptor repro- concluded that the decline in raptor and raptors, particularly the Fal- ductive success along the Strze- productivity for a number of species cons. lecki drainage system in South along the Strzelecki Creek ap- Australia. Raptor productivity, peared to be linked to the RHD- He also concluded that further in- nesting success, involving 13 rap- induced decline in rabbit numbers. vestigation into this little-known as- tor species, and level of prey spe- Wedge-tailed Eagles were affected pect of predator/prey relationship is cies were measured from 1995 to the most, followed by Black- important for the future preservation 2000. breasted Buzzards, Whistling Kite of our raptor populations. and Black Kites. However, produc- The range of seasonal conditions tivity for other species of raptor ap- The full report will be available on over the six-year period provided peared to have remained relatively www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au. an ideal opportunity to investigate unchanged. The improved vegeta- ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP Page 4

Research Seminar 2007: Dr. Piran White & Mrs Maija Marsh

The last issue of Anti-Rabbit Roundup featured a summary of the research pro- ject of Mrs Maija Marsh, the inaugural recipient of the Foundation’s Postgraduate Research grant, which is supporting a visit to Australia by her UK Supervisor, Dr. Piran White.

RFA is hosting a special seminar on Friday October 12, 2007 at which both Dr. White and Mrs. Marsh will present their work. Dr. Piran White Ms. Maija Marsh

Date: Friday 12 October 2007

Time: 9.30am - Morning Tea 10.00am to 12 noon - Speakers’ presentations

Place: Ground floor conference room of the SARDI Plant Research Centre, Waite campus of University, Hart- ley Grove, Urrbrae.

All members and other interested people are invited to attend the seminar.

Please RSVP by Friday 5 October to: Keryn Lapidge. Ph: 0414 600 878 For more information see the flyer on our website: Email: [email protected] http://www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au/Seminar2007.pdf

RMAG proposes biological control for rabbits

The national Rabbit Manage- strain-351 RHDV in rabbits in • the Australian Department Effective ment Advisory Group intermediate rainfall zones in of Environment and Water biological control (RMAG) further developed Australia (300-600mm annu- Resources with their initia- and agreed to their proposal ally); statistical review of the tive to prepare regional is critical to the for a national Centre for the epidemiology of RHD to pro- rabbit control extension economic and Biological Control of Rabbits vide advice on how RHD information for natural re- in Australia at its meeting in may be used more effectively source management sustainable July. RMAG is promoting this on its own or integrated with (NRM) boards and catch- control of rabbits proposal with governments other control methods; devel- ment management au- in Australia and industry. opment of a rapid survey thorities (CMA) — an ini- method to assess of the im- tiative following on from The Group strongly believes pact of rabbits on biodiversity RFA’s preliminary work, that effective biological con- — 2-3 rabbits per hectare trol, either with new agents can prevent the regeneration • the view that there is little or improved current agents in of many native shrub and call to initiate the manufac- Australia, is critical to the tree species; and a compre- ture of a new strain of economic and sustainable hensive estimate of the envi- myxoma virus at this point control of rabbits here, espe- ronmental cost of rabbits. in time (mainly because cially with rabbits occurring myxomatosis still kills 40% over vast areas of Australia RMAG supported: of the rabbits it infects, now being managed with few and this is at no on-going people and having low finan- • the Animal and Plant Con- cost to the land manager), cial returns. trol Group in Adelaide to and prepare a budget to main- RMAG was informed of cur- tain a bank of RHDV refer- • the need to improve links rent research developments, ence samples necessary with NRM boards/CMA’s including the development of to explain changes in the on rabbit control. genetic resistance to Czech virus and rabbit resistance Page 5 ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP

Foundation for Rabbit-free Australia Postgraduate Research Grant 2008

The Foundation invites grant applications from suitably qualified students in agricultural science, natural resource management, agricultural economics or social science who are intending to commence or have started approved Australian post-graduate tertiary studies (Masters or Doctorate degrees) that relate to the management and control of feral rabbits or to the species or ecosystems that are affected by feral rabbits.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and may provide up to $5000 to support: • overseas travel for a study tour; OR • attending and presenting research results at a relevant international or national conference; OR • a visit by an eminent overseas scientist, working on rabbits or in a related field, to Australia to mentor the student and ad- dress Australian and/or regional conferences; OR • the purchase of essential equipment required for the post-graduate, rabbit-related research and development project.

The Grant is open to Australian citizens or students that have been continuously resident in Australia for three years immediately preceding the closing date for applications.

How to Apply for an Applications can be e-mailed to

RFA Postgraduate Research Grant [email protected]

Details are on the RFA website at or posted to http://www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au/grants.htm Mrs Keryn Lapidge Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia Applications close Friday 26 October 2007 48 Oxford Terrace, Unley, SA 5061

Interview with Peter Rasheed

(Continued from page 1) sheep numbers in these paddocks has also contributed to these results. RFA: Over what area have you treated rabbits? PR: Since 1996, we have ripped a total of 13,698 war- RFA: Can you please explain the future needs that you rens covering a total of 350.5sqkm on Minburra. We believe are required to implement successful rabbit have owned Minburra since 1992 but recently pur- control in the rangelands? chased Koonamore, May 2002, and Melton, May 2005. PR: We have recently received support from SA Arid Lands NRM Board to rip warrens, which will help sup- RFA: How effective has the treatment been in terms of plement the high running costs (eg , labour, reducing the number of rabbits on your properties? plant). This support is invaluable to people who aim to PR: Across the paddocks we have ripped, rabbit num- control rabbits during these tough times with low com- bers have been reduced to almost none. modity prices and minimal profit margins in farming. It can be difficult to justify spending money on issues such as rabbit control, but we have found we have RFA: What benefits do you believe you have gained been better equipped and more able to deal with dry from rabbit control? and unpredictable times in farming through these prac- PR: During the drought of the past few years, the pad- tices (such as rabbit ripping). It is not only beneficial for docks where we have eradicated rabbits have shown the environment, but it also increases the 'bottom line' considerable increases in pasture growth, due to re- of our farming enterprise. generation of native pastures. Consequently, we have not de-stocked any paddocks, whilst sheep have main- tained good condition and lambing percentages have RFA would like to thank Peter and Jon Rasheed for been high. Wool production and quality has been their valuable contribution to this edition of Anti-Rabbit above-average during this time, even considering the Roundup. below-average seasonal conditions. Not increasing ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP Page 6

FOUNDATION FOR A RABBIT FREE AUSTRALIA Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the FIFTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held in the Board Room on the first floor of the Administration Building at the Adelaide Zoological Gardens, Frome Road, ADELAIDE SA on TUESDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2007 at 2:30 pm.

Mr. David Lord (from Thackaringa, Broken Hill) will be guest speaker at this year’s meeting addressing the current situation with wild rabbits in Australia.

Membership and donation form is on the next page of your Newsletter. Membership fees for 2007 are due by the AGM.

For catering purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know if you plan to attend the AGM.

All members, feel free to attend whether or not you have notified us. Non-members, please let us know so that you can enter the zoo without charge.

RSVP to Keryn Lapidge on mb 0414 600 878, e-mail [email protected] If you have a problem on the day ring Keryn on her mobile phone 0414 600 878

RFA / RZSSA RESEARCH GRANT 2008

The Foundation for a Rabbit-Free Australia (RFA) and the Up to two grants valued of $AUD Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (RZSSA) will 1000 each will be awarded each once again be offering a Research Grant to encourage year. Applicants are free to re-apply research into the control of Australia’s worst feral pest – for funding regardless of whether they have been suc- the rabbit. These grants will be administered by the cessful or not in previous years in approaching the RZSSA and the Committee of the Foundation for a Rab- RZSSA. bit-Free Australia. RFA rabbit control grants may be used in conjunction with The RFA rabbit control research grants are intended for other grants, to bridge a gap in existing funding, to insti- researchers who are just starting out in their respective gate pilot studies, for travel costs in the field, for important fields of study (Honours, M.Sc, PhD students) and will only conference travel, or to purchase equipment. Grants may cover minor costs. Applications are not restricted to mem- not be used for wages or institutional on costs, but there bers of the RZSSA. are no other restrictions on how the grant may be used in contributing to the nominated research program.

How to Apply for an RFA / RZSSA Research Grant

Details are on the Adelaide Zoo website at http://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/research/rzssa-student-grants.php

Applications close Friday 29 February 2008

FOUNDATION FOR RABBIT-FREE AUSTRALIA

Membership and Donation Form - 2007

Details for Membership or Donation

Title ______Surname ______Given Names ______

Organisation ______

Address ______

______State ______Postcode ______

Phone ______Fax ______Mobile______

E-mail Address ______

DONATIONS OVER $2.00 TO THE FOUNDATION ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

I would like to contribute/pledge $______to support RFA’s funding of rabbit research programs

MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOUNDATION FOR RABBIT-FREE AUSTRALIA

I would like to become a member of the Foundation for the period 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008

Subscription Fees Tick Box

Student $5.00

General $30.00

Corporate $100.00

TOTAL $______

Office Use Only SEND PAYMENTS TO Membership fee paid on / /

Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia Amount $ c/- 48 Oxford Terrace UNLEY SA 5061 Membership receipt number Mobile 0414 600 878 Donation amount $ Subscriptions for 2007/08 RFA membership are due by the AGM (20th November 2007). Donation receipt number Thankyou to those members who have already paid their subscriptions this year Receipt(s) posted / /

ANTI-RABBIT ROUNDUP Page 8

Website upgrade The rabbit fights back…

We are currently in the process of updating the design of our website. RFA would like to thank our website sponsor, The Mutooroo Pastoral Company Pty Ltd, for their continued generous support.

On our website you will find information on: • The history of RFA • Rabbits in Australia and rabbit control • Our Awareness Strategy, Strategic Plan • RFA grants and scholarships • Submissions and reports • Download our latest newsletter

www.rabbitfreeaustralia.org.au

Thanks to Brian Cooke for sending in this picture of some graffiti he saw in Strasbourg, France.

RFA Influences Senate Committee Inquiry Congratulations RFA’s submission to the recent Sen- will to address issues related to in- ate Inquiry into Conserving Australia vasive species across all tenures in RFA is delighted that the sci- — Australia’s national parks, conser- Australia remains fragmented and ence communication skills and vation reserves and marine protected insufficient.” commitment of Dr. Rob Morrison areas contributed to conclusions on were recently recognised with feral animal threats to the reserve • “Increased funding is required to the award of the 2007 Australian system. support existing pest control meas- Government Eureka Prize for ures within national parks in all juris- Promoting Understanding of The Standing Committee quoted RFA dictions.” Science — congratulations. in their report leading to several con- clusions including: The full report is available on the Sen- Rob is a previous Chair of RFA. ate website at http://www.aph.gov.au/ • “...the management, funding, com- Senate/committee/ecita_ctte/ munity understanding and political nationalparks/index.htm.