Book contents
- Rebuilding an Ecosystem
- Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation
- Rebuilding an Ecosystem
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Part I Beginnings
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Design of the Experimental Framework
- 3 A Senior Manager’s Personal Reflections on the Implementation of the Experiment and Sanctuary
- 4 Establishing a Woodland Sanctuary
- 5 Rabbit and Hare Eradication
- Part II Results
- Part III Reflections and the Future
- Appendices
- Index
- References
5 - Rabbit and Hare Eradication
from Part I - Beginnings
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 July 2026
Edited by
Book contents
- Rebuilding an Ecosystem
- Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation
- Rebuilding an Ecosystem
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Part I Beginnings
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Design of the Experimental Framework
- 3 A Senior Manager’s Personal Reflections on the Implementation of the Experiment and Sanctuary
- 4 Establishing a Woodland Sanctuary
- 5 Rabbit and Hare Eradication
- Part II Results
- Part III Reflections and the Future
- Appendices
- Index
- References
Summary
Introduced rabbits and hares damage native woodland vegetation by selective browsing. When the Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary was created, the introduced species within the fenced reserve needed to be removed. Cats and foxes were relatively easy to remove, but hare and rabbit eradication required a creative, targeted and sustained approach. The presence of the newly reintroduced eastern bettong meant many standard rabbit eradication techniques could not be used. Instead of warren ripping, poisoning and trapping, staff employed a sequence of methods including shooting with night vision scopes, releasing a rabbit-specific virus as a biocide, using detector dogs and using tagged decoy rabbits. This was the first known rabbit and hare eradication using alternative techniques; the first in a woodland with abundant grass cover; and the first in the presence of an endangered reintroduced native animal. Rabbits and hares were eradicated, and the efficacy of the different methods is described.
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- Rebuilding an EcosystemIntegrating Applied Research and Restoration, pp. 105 - 132Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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