Since the late 19th century, when European rabbits were first brought to Australia, there has been an issue with them. Currently, Australia is thought to be home to 200 million feral rabbits.
Australia’s introduction of European rabbits
In order to facilitate hunting, European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were brought into the Australian bush in 1859. Thirteen European wild rabbits were sent to Thomas Austin, an affluent settler in Victoria, Australia, and he allowed them to roam freely on his estate. It only took these invasive (i.e., non-native to the land) rabbits 50 years to spread across the entire continent from this one backyard sanctuary.
Since these conditions are fairly easy to come by, they can adapt to new habitats such as the deserts and plains of Australia as easily as the meadows of Europe.
Their population grew to such an extent that they destroyed land and crops, causing soil erosion. By overgrazing, they also had a detrimental effect on plants and agriculture. The rabbits not only destroyed Australian crops, but they also played a part in the extinction of local animal and plant species. The primary environmental law of the Australian government, the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, even identifies the many impacts of feral rabbits, like land degradation, as a “threatening process.” The remarkable adaptability of these rabbits has contributed to their dispersal throughout the Australian continent. All the rabbits require are short grasses to graze on and soil suitable for burrowing.
European rabbits are not only adaptive animals, but they also have a reputation for procreating quickly and in large numbers. They are capable of reproducing year-round and at an early age. European rabbits, also known as hares, typically have two to five kits (baby rabbits) per litter and can produce more than four litters annually.
How to Handle Invading Rabbits
To eradicate Australia’s invasive rabbits, biologists, farmers, government researchers, and others have tried. Many strategies, such as fences, poisons, and infections, have been tried by experts to control rabbit populations; some have shown to be more effective than others.
After coming to Australia a few decades ago, rabbits started to pose a serious threat to farmers. In the beginning, fences were constructed by the government and farmers to prevent the rabbits from damaging their crops. In fact, the government hired builders to erect a fence that connected the north and south of Western Australia. Fencing didn’t really stop the rabbits, though. In the case of the fence in Western Australia, it only contained rabbits that were already residing there.
In an attempt to manage the population, farmers have also been known to destroy rabbit warrens, which are underground networks of tunnels. The area where rabbits can safely breed and raise young is taken away when the warrens are destroyed. Today, farmers continue to use the warren destruction method, which is effective for controlling rabbit populations found on accessible lands.
The government started using biocontrol in the 1950s. In southeast Australia, they dispersed rabbits infected with the virus known as myxoma, which is unique to rabbits. The first virus to be intentionally released into the wild with the intention of eradicating an animal was the myxoma virus. The myxoma virus causes myxomatosis, a disease that only kills rabbits, and Australian scientist Peter Kerr said of this release, “Thus, inadvertently, began one of the great experiments in natural selection, conducted on a continental scale.” Many rabbits in Australia did die from the myxoma virus, but over time the rabbits developed an immunity to the virus, making it useless. The scientists would have to try a different approach if they were to successfully eradicate these invasive rabbits.
Another pathogen that is unique to rabbits is Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), which researchers first described in the 1980s. This illness, which is brought on by an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus spread by flies, can kill rabbits within 48 hours of infection. This virus broke free from a quarantine facility in 1995 and entered the wild. In particularly dry areas, RHDV reduced rabbit populations in Australia by up to 90% after it was formally released in 1996 with the goal of controlling the population. European rabbits that reside in cooler, more rainy regions of Australia are immune to the disease because flies act as the virus’s vector. Similar to the myxoma virus, these rabbits are starting to show signs of resistance against RHDV.
You may also be interested in…
- How Switzerland ended rabies epidemic by air-dropped vaccinated chicken heads
- Earthquakes: Can Animals Really Predict Them?
- The story of The chicken that lived for 18 months without a head
Poison proved to be another popular population-control strategy for European rabbits, in addition to viruses. With a death rate of over 90%, sodium fluoroacetate is one of the primary chemicals used to poison rabbits. In order to fumigate burrows and eliminate any rabbits residing within, phosphine and carbon monoxide are also utilized.
Virus introduction into the wild appears to be the most efficient and economical method of reducing the population of European rabbits. Scientists are still trying to manage these mammals’ populations to prevent habitat destruction in Australia. More lethal RHDV strains that might be even more successful in keeping the rabbits from overrunning the Australian environment are currently being researched by researchers. Since the European rabbits are an invasive species, and are extremely disruptive to the local environment, finding a solution to rein in and control their populations is imperative.
The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry
Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.
Medieval Medicine: A 1,000-year-old onion and garlic salve kills modern bacterial superbugs
Scientists recreated an Anglo-Saxon manuscript-based 9th century onion and garlic eye remedy and discovered that it killed 90% of antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria (MRSA).
Philippines, the largest supplier of Nurses in the World
Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of nurses, supplying roughly 25% of all overseas nurses worldwide.
The Day an Israeli F-15 Landed with One Wing: Zivi Nedivi’s Unbelievable Mid-Air Survival
Discover the astonishing true story of Israeli pilot Zivi Nedivi, who safely landed an F-15 after a mid-air collision tore off its entire right wing. Learn how skill, quick thinking, and the F-15’s unique design turned a disaster into a legendary feat in aviation history
D.B. Cooper: Man who hijacked a plane and jumped out with a $200,000
On November 22, 1971, DB Cooper hijacked a Boeing 727, drank a whisky, smoked a fag, and then jumped out of the plane with $200,000. He was never again seen.
Medals of Friendship: The Enduring Olympic Story of 1936
At the 1936 Summer Olympics, two Japanese pole vaulters named Sueo Oe and Shuhei Nishida tied for second, but they declined to compete against each other. As a result, Nishida was awarded the silver medal and Oe won a bronze medal. Upon returning to Japan, the athletes had their medals cut in half and spliced together to create new "friendship medals," which were half silver and half bronze.
The Tragic Story Of Mary Ann Bevan, The ‘Ugliest Woman In The World’
After the death of her husband, Mary Ann Bevan had no income to support herself and her children. She then decided to enter a contest where she won the title of “ugliest woman” and was later hired by a circus. She endured this ridicule from the world to provide for her family.
Story of Kathrine Switzer: the first woman to run in Boston Marathon
Before women were allowed to run in the Boston Marathon, Kathrine Switzer participated. A race official attempted to forcefully remove her from the race in 1967, but her boyfriend pushed him down. She was the first female finisher who had a numbered entry in the race.
How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality
The 18th century marked a turning point in the quest for women’s rights, as passionate voices challenged centuries of gender inequality and laid the groundwork for modern feminism. From pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft to revolutionary declarations and early advocacy, this era sparked debates on education, political participation, and social justice that continue to resonate today. Journey through the origins of women’s rights movements and discover how their bold ideas shaped the fight for equality.
The Amazing Truth About The German U-Boat That Was Sunk By A Toilet
During WWII, a German captain and an engineer flushed the submarine's high-tech toilet incorrectly, causing the vessel to rapidly fill with water. British planes patrolling the sea attacked them as the submarine was brought to the surface. While many members of the crew were killed in the attack, the captain escaped!
The touching story of David Vetter (bubble boy), the 'boy who lived in a bubble
David Vetter lived his whole 12 years in sterile “bubble”. He was “outside” for 20 second after being removed from his mother’s womb. He never touched any human.
Mario Segale, Developer Who Inspired Nintendo to Name Super Mario
Super Mario is named after real-life businessman Mario Segale, who was renting out a warehouse to Nintendo. After Nintendo fell far behind on rent, Segale did not evict them but gave them a second chance to come up with the money. Nintendo succeeded and named their main character after him.
The incredible story of a plane that lost its roof in mid-flight and the light signal that saved 94 lives.
On April 28, 1988, Aloha Airlines flight 243 was on the way to Honolulu from Hilo when a huge portion of the upper part of the fuselage blew off the airplane.
What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?
Between 1764 and 1767, a mysterious animal called the Beast of Gévaudan terrorized the French village called Gévaudan. It attacked and killed about 100 adults and children. While most believe it was a wolf, some say it may have been a wolf-dog hybrid, hyena or even a lion, but without any genetic evidence, the beast will remain a mystery forever.
10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history
Volcanic eruptions can devastate cities, change the world's atmosphere, and devastate economic systems. They can create molten lava rivers, mudslides, suffocating ash, and poisonous gases that cause chaos around the world for years. A volcanic explosion's effects can be massive, from its size to its death toll to its economic cost. Here is ten world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history.
The true story of Josephine Myrtle Corbin, the lady born with four legs and two private parts
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer born in 1868, had a rare condition known as dipygus, which caused her to have four legs, each smaller inner leg paired with one of her outer legs. Corbin joined the sideshow circuit, captivating audiences as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas."
Ancient Jericho: The First Walled City In History
The ancient city of Jericho is the world's oldest walled city, with evidence of stone fortifications dating back nearly 9000 years.
Blanche Monnier: Imprisoned For 25 Years For Falling in Love
Blanche Monnier, she was a French woman noted for her beauty, she wished to marry an old lawyer that her mother disapproved of, so she locked her in a small dark room in her attic for 25 years.
The youngest person executed, George Stinney Jr was proven innocent
In 1944, George Stinney Jr. was 14 years old when he was executed in South Carolina. It took only ten minutes to convict him — and 70 years to exonerate him.
Man's Blood Helped Save Millions of Babies
Australian blood donor James Harrison has been one of our most impressive and valued donors, having donated for 60 years. Know his story, how he was a pioneer of our Anti-D program, and why this matters.
Will & William Wests: The puzzling situation of two inmates who are identical but not related
These are the mugshots of Will West and William West, and they are not related. They were both sent to Leavenworth Prison at the same time, in 1903, and after some confusion, the staff understood they had two different prisoners with the nearly same name, who looked exactly alike. They are part of the reason fingerprints are now used as identification.
The Horrific story of Ariel Castro and the Cleveland abduction
Cleveland abduction victims Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight, and Amanda Berry were forced to live in Ariel Castro's house of horrors for 10 years. He raped and beat them until they escaped in 2013.
Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt
When Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs first opened in 1916, the owner hired people to dress as doctors and eat hot dogs outside his shop, to convince people his hot dogs were healthy.
The Arabia Steamboat: Unearthing a 19th Century Time Capsule from the Missouri River
The Arabia was a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856. Over time, the river shifted 800 meters to the east, eventually turning the site of the sinking into a field. The steamboat remained under 45 feet of slit and topsoil until 1988, when it was excavated. The mud, as it turned out, was such a great preserver that most of the artifacts on board were found to be intact. They even found jars of preserved apples that were still edible!
Underground Railroad to Mexico freed thousands of slaves in 1829
Slavery was abolished in Mexico in 1829. Slaves were escaping to Mexico, and slaveholders in the US were aware of this. The US attempted to get Mexico to sign a fugitive slave treaty, which would have required Mexico to send back escaped slaves to the US. But, Mexico refused, arguing that slaves were free as soon as they set foot on Mexican soil.
