Rising rabbit populations threaten Australia's native wildlife and ecosystems

In the arid centre of South Australia, a detection dog named Jojo helps staff map rabbit warrens for removal, reflecting broader concerns as rain-fed growth fuels a nationwide rabbit boom. Experts note hotspots from southern Western Australia to peri-urban Adelaide and the Riverina, where rabbits reach densities that strip vegetation and damage farmland, including a golf course in Albany. Historical introductions have led to an estimated 200 million rabbits today, impacting 329 threatened species more than any other invasive pest.

While myxoma and calicivirus have previously curbed numbers, evolving resistance and favorable weather are prompting calls for new viral strains and genetic solutions. Landholders are also advised to use fencing, targeted poisoning, warren ripping and humane shooting to mitigate damage.