First Generation of Problems Caused by Rabbits in Australia By: Valencia, Hanna, Gabby, Erielle

Introduction to Rabbits The Invasion of rabbits introduced to Australia by hunters during British colonial rule in 1859 It ended as growing numbers of the animals died from a disease known as calcivirus Many areas were devastated by the eating and burrowing habits of rabbits

What is Calcivirius? Highly contagious, kills rabbits within four days by causing massive internal bleeding The virus was detected in 1984 It swept through Europe’s rabbits population prompting scientists to harness it for pest control purposes

On Oct. 9 th in the first officially controlled release, 20 rabbits inoculated (treat with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease) with virus was turned loose Rabbits outnumbered people in Australia by more than 10 to one Government officials say the virus will be progressively released in the next two years at 280 sites throughout Australia

Already 50 million rabbits are estimated to have died from calicvirus, which spread quickly across about one quarter of the country

Four and a half years ago Australia inaugurated a method of killing off rabbits, which had become a formidable pestThe disease killed off so many rabbits that sheep, which could not find grass enough in denuded pastures, began to flourish again, so that wool production has increased by about 70,000,000 pounds, worth about $54,000,000.

Ecology Video: Australian Rabbits