Australia’s Feral Rabbits Cost $239M Annually, Threaten Ecosystems

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Feral rabbits, introduced in 1800s Australia, cost an estimated $200 million yearly in management expenses.

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Single rabbit pairs reproduce every 28 days, spawning 184 offspring within 18-month cycles.

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Rabbit overgrazing strips vegetation bare, causing soil degradation while pushing native species out of their natural habitats.

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1950s myxomatosis virus campaign eliminated 90% rabbits before populations developed resistance mechanisms.

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Scientists advance gene-drive technology research to modify female rabbits' ability to produce exclusively male offspring.

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Heidi Kleinert from Centre for Invasive Species Solutions advocates multiple control tools for property-level rabbit management.

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Philip Island demonstrates successful pest elimination through coordinated community action programs.

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PestSmart platform combined with RabbitScan application enables public contribution toward rabbit population tracking.

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Experts suggest removal of rabbits would reveal more native plant and animal species in Australian landscapes.

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