A plague on the pest – rabbit calicivirus disease and biological control
Useful Sites
Rabbits (Invasive Animals CRC, Australia)
Provides an update to the problem of rabbits in Australia, including the effectiveness of calicivirus control.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australia’s battle with the bunny (In Depth, 8 April 2009)
Reviews the history of the rabbit in Australia, including measures to eradicate them.
The cactoblastis moth (The Science Show, 7 April 2007)
Tracks the successes and failures of the use of cactoblastic moth as a biological control.
Mulga miracle – calici aftermath (The Slab, 16 November 2000)
Covers the effectiveness of rabbit calicivirus in reducing rabbit numbers and the impact of fewer rabbits in Australia's southern arid zone.
The feral outrage (Transcript of Ockham's Razor, 17 November 1996)
Professor Rob Morrison, Chair of the Anti-Rabbit Research Foundation, presents the benefits and perceived costs of introducing rabbit calicivirus into Australia. He also covers the concept of risk and risk perception.
Making the most of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) (CSIRO, Australia)
Explains rabbit calicivirus disease and the variation in its effect throughout Australia. Strategies for improving its impact are also discussed.
Background document for the threat abatement plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits (Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts)
Provides information on rabbits and their management in Australia.
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/pubs/tap-rabbit-background.pdf
A website containing a comprehensive array of resources regarding feral animals in Australia and New Zealand for both students and teachers.
Information from the Federal Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities about Australia's feral pests.
An overview of the history of the European rabbit in Australia
Page updated July 2009.