ORC to release virus to manage rabbit population

The council plans to release the virus in Otago in late March or April and is currently monitoring rabbit numbers so it can judge the virus' effectiveness. Photo / Otago Regional Council

The Otago Regional Council has confirmed plans to release a rabbit virus on more than 100 Otago sites.

This would make up part of a nation-wide effort which could decrease the rabbit population by 40%, the council said.

In a statement today the council announced the application to import and release The RHDV1 K5 (K5) virus into the country was approved.

There will be over 100 release sites in Otago and the regional council would co-ordinate the release to make sure the virus had "maximum impact", the statement said.

K5 is a Korean variant of a strain which is already in New Zealand.

Regional council environmental monitoring and operations director Scott MacLean said the approval of K5 was good news for the region.

"Rabbits are the number one pest in Otago. Ten rabbits can eat as much grass as one sheep. They are a threat to our biodiversity, not to mention the soil degradation and loss of soil caused by rabbit holes and warrens.

"The K5 virus, which only affects the European rabbit, may give us the opportunity to reduce rabbit numbers to the level where they are manageable. It will be especially beneficial in areas where traditional rabbit management methods are either not possible or not acceptable."

The council plans to release the virus in Otago in late March or April and is currently monitoring rabbit numbers so it can judge the virus' effectiveness.

The virus will be spread nationally in a coordinated programme.

"We are really pleased that ORC will be funding this initiative, which will benefit all our ratepayers," Mr MacLean said.

"We have already identified the most strategic release sites in anticipation of the virus being approved, and are now getting ready to put the plan into action. These sites were selected based on science, to ensure we have the best chance of creating an epidemic and high knock-down rate."

The virus will be released in the form of a commercially-prepared product.

"We know farmers will be keen to get the virus released on their property, but we need people to be patient and trust us to do our job. Once we have more detail, we plan to work in collaboration with land owners so we can all get the best outcome," he said.

"Rabbits will never be eradicated, and ongoing support from the community will be important to keep the rabbit numbers down after the virus starts to take effect.

"The virus is just one tool to help land owners manage rabbit populations, but it doesn't replace primary methods. In areas like Moeraki and Naseby, where traditional management methods are more challenging, the virus will definitely help," Mr MacLean said.

People needed to make sure their pet rabbit vaccinations were up to date to protect against the virus, he said.

Rabbit owners should discuss concerns with their vet.

No vaccinated pet rabbits in Australia, where the virus was released in 2017, caught the K5 virus, he said.