The wild rabbit population is going hopping mad in the South East with widespread increases across the Limestone Coast including Mount Gambier, Kingston, Naracoorte and roadsides in the Upper South East.
A milder winter has led to the rabbit population boom, leading to greater damage to gardens, landscaping, foot paths and infrastructure.
Wild rabbit hotspot areas in Mount Gambier have been identified on both private and public land.
Last month as part of the Urban Wild Rabbit Control Program, the Limestone Coast Landscape Board supported property owners in targeted areas to control wild rabbits on their property by offering discounted pindone bait collection days.
Limestone Coast Landscape Board (LCLB) Team Leader of Southern Operations Lizzie Doyle said the discounted bait collection days were an opportunity for property owners to manage the populations impacting their property.
“Rabbits do not respect property boundaries, so it is crucial that neighbours and community work together to address the problem,” she said.
“To ensure property owners control efforts are effective, we are working with the City of Mount Gambier to manage wild rabbit populations on public land throughout the city.
“By coordinating our efforts over a short period, we have the best chance of reducing the population, minimising reinvasion and safeguarding properties from the impact of wild rabbits.
“To support control efforts, our Landscape Officers will continue to release biological controls such as calicivirus and myxomatosis around Mount Gambier.
“However, it is important to note that while biological controls play an important role, they alone will not reduce wild rabbit populations to sustainable levels so traditional methods are still needed.”
Ms Doyle said under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, property owners are responsible for controlling wild rabbits on their property.
“Effective control of rabbits in townships requires multiple methods, including pindone poison baiting, trapping, warren destruction, fumigation, and biological controls,” she said.
“Pindone poison bait is the only approved bait for rabbit control in urban areas and is safe for pets and wildlife when used correctly.”
Ms Doyle said the board need everyone working together to play their part.
“Before Christmas 2024, we monitored rabbit populations and identified some high-density areas,” she said.
“It was fantastic to see the City of Mount Gambier, adjoining schools and private landholders all working together to implement baiting programs in the Sugar Loaf area of the Crater Lakes.
“Follow up monitoring at the Sugar loaf Crater … has revealed a significant drop in numbers.
“The preliminary results of our monitoring indicate a significant reduction in the population has been achieved by everyone working together.
“Over the coming weeks we will also be targeting Pioneer Park and the Old Cemetery and we have written to a number of property owners in other targeted areas urging them to control the rabbits on their land.”
Ms Doyle said the boad received a number of reports from the community highlighting an increase in rabbit numbers across the city.
“Enquiries from landholders help us to manage hotspot areas and understand how the rabbit populations are impacting different areas across cities and townships of the Limestone Coast,” she said.
“Property owners are encouraged to report large numbers of wild rabbits by contacting us at the Limestone Coast Landscape Board.
“Our local Landscape Officers are here to help and assist property owners with their rabbit control efforts. They are also monitoring the populations in their areas.
“We would like to applaud the efforts of landholders in the area who have supported the program, in some areas we are seeing a reduction in wild rabbit numbers already.
“There is still a long way to go in our fight against wild rabbit populations and we urge all property owners to be proactive in the control of this invasive pest.”
