The science of rabbit control and a local story The Granite Creeks Project Inc.

Transcription

1 The science f rabbit cntrl and a lcal stry The Granite Creeks Prject Inc.

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3 S these rabbits ARE pests what is the evidence wh cares?

4 Rabbits are pests Rabbit ppulatins must be cntrlled Eradicatin is an agreed aspiratinal gal Our discussins are abut brad acre hldings

5 Elements f integrated cntrl: Mnitring rabbit numbers Sptlight transects

6 Elements f integrated cntrl: Mnitring rabbit numbers Activity levels in burrws

7 Elements f integrated cntrl: An active entrance fresh dirt numerus ftprints lts f dung little t n grass

8 Elements f integrated cntrl: Mnitring rabbit numbers Daytime sightings

9 Elements f integrated cntrl: Mnitring rabbit numbers Impact n pasture Impact n native flra

10 Elements f integrated cntrl: Reductin f rabbit ppulatins by pisning Pisning using Pindne r ACUP requirements Take the trail t the rabbits Free feed prir t pisn Mnitr the free feed take Use less pisned bait

11 Elements f integrated cntrl: Reductin f rabbit ppulatins by fumigatin Find all the entrances Clear the face f each hle Fill in all but (abut) 3 entrances cmpacting the dirt t ensure that there is a gd seal f dirt n dirt Bury a length f ply pipe in each f the remaining entrances Slide 3 r 4 tablets f fumigant int each pipe carefully remve the pipe and seal the hles Check the next day then next week

12 Fumigatin: Extent f a burrw Cmplexity undergrund Imprtance f finding all entrances Clearing the face f the entrances Sealing the entrance Fumigatin is a tw r mre persn jb fr safety sake

13 Undertaking warren destructin Prir t starting the ripping Lcate all rabbit burrws active and inactive if it lks like a burrw, it is a burrw Mark where the burrws are use surveyr s tape Lcate all entrances lk well beynd the bvius hles Plan the shrtest practicable rute fr the excavatr fr efficiency and value fr mney Organise smene t be a sptter this shuld be the persn wh lcated the burrws t be ripped and planned the rute

14 Undertaking warren destructin Ripping using an excavatr Shifting rcks t access the burrw Rip and crss rip A bulldzer can als be used but the equipment must be heavy

15 Undertaking warren destructin Track rll t finish ff Safety first befre cmmencing discuss and agree upn peratinal prcedures always stand uphill f the excavatr always be in direct line f sight with the peratr always stand beynd the reach f the excavatr bm

16 Undertaking warren destructin An excavatr in steep cuntry

17 Undertaking warren destructin An example f the extent f a burrw

18 Small excavatr take nte f: the size f the tyne the depth f the rip

19 Small excavatr Befre ripping Three weeks later

20 Large excavatr take nte f: the size f the tyne the depth f the rip the reach f the bm

21 Elements f integrated cntrl: Mnitr treated areas Check ripped burrws fr activity Track any rabbits sighted Fumigate any pened burrws Repeat the sptlight transect Harbur reductin Eradicate blackberries Eradicate Inkweed Avid making piles f timber r rcks Rip rabbit burrws

22 Inkweed: One bush several years ld Detail f leaves Flwer spike and ripening berries Excellent rabbit harbur

23 Avid this: Maintain cmplexity:

24 Bilgical cntrl Myxmatsis RHDV - calicivirus RHDV K2 recently arrived RHDV K5 due fr release Predatrs indigenus and feral Legal and regulatry requirements The CALP Act Agency resurces land management fficers Extensin and cmpliance prgrams Peple pwer Wrking with neighburing prperties in grups Landcare grups Lcal shire Departmental agencies Catchment Management Authrity

25 The cycle f the integrated prcess Crdinate yur wrk with neighburs Plan yur prgram crrect timing is critical Mnitr numbers and activity Reduce ppulatins pisn and r fumigate Remve rabbit harbur Rip rabbit burrws Mnitr wrked areas and fumigate where necessary Repeat the cycle Maintain cmmunicatins with everybdy Rabbits are a whle f cmmunity respnsibility

26 Spring 1996 Spring 2015 Prblem slved r d we still have a prblem?

27 Spring cunts frm 1996 t

28 Success is nt abut the number f dead rabbits

29 Six landcare grups: Balmattum/Sheans Creek Burnt Creek Creightns Creek Gram Valley Lngwd East Strathbgie Tablelands The Granite Creeks Management Cmmittee: Applies annually fr funding fr the Onging Pest Plant & Animal Prgram Emplys a crdinatr Administers and disburses the funds Crdinates and supervises the Shire Radside PPA Cntrl Prgram

30 The Granite Creeks Management Cmmittee: Organises and runs rabbit cntrl field days Arranges ACUP curses fr cmmunity members Prvides a range f educatinal pprtunities Liaises with the Gulburn Brken CMA Liaises and plans with DEDJTR Alng with each f ur landcare grups, is an active member f the Geck CLaN executive and cmmittee Supprts and actively assists in disaster recvery Sme ther lcal landcare grups and netwrks include: Up2Us Hughes Creek Catchment Cllabrative Strath Creek Glenarua The Nagambie Plains Whiteheads Creek

31 rabbitactin.cm The Ute Guide