Island rabbit cull bird deaths

FEWER than 30 of the 150,000 rabbits that once infested Macquarie Island are still alive after a joint state-federal eradication program.

A Senate estimates committee heard yesterday that a $30 million program of baiting, shooting and detector dogs had resulted in the almost complete eradication of rabbits from the World Heritage-listed sub-Antarctic island 1500km south of Hobart.

The rabbits and introduced rats and mice had a devastating effect on wildlife on the island by overgrazing native vegetation, which in turn affected nesting sites.

Their numbers boomed after a cat eradication program on the island.

Liberal senator Eric Abetz said the deaths of 2190 sea birds during the three-year program was a disaster.

"This is a complete debacle which just goes from bad to worse," he said after the hearing.

"The collateral damage seems worse than the problem the Government was seeking to eradicate."

Senator Abetz said the real number of deaths was much higher.

While 2190 bird carcasses had been discovered on Macquarie Island, more had probably died at sea.

Premier Lara Giddings said the rabbit eradication program was necessary to protect the island's bird life.

"Nobody wants to see wildlife hurt or damaged by programs. However, what is Eric Abetz's alternative?' she said.

"Those same birds, the same wildlife, were absolutely threatened by the destruction of the natural habitat on Macquarie Island because of rabbit grazing."

Environment Minister Tony Burke said the bird deaths were inevitable.

"When you do baiting, the fact is you will lose some of the birds you are wanting to protect," he said.

"But if you don't do baiting, feral animals like rabbits and rodents will keep wiping everything out."

Mr Burke said up to 24 bird species ultimately stood to benefit from the eradication program.

From here.

Baiting Complete for Macquarie Island Pest Eradication

“It is fantastic to see that this first stage is now complete and that our efforts to restore Macquarie Island to an ecosystem free of introduced pests is well underway.”

 

The number of non-target species impacted by baiting has been minimised, with a total of 855 birds affected to date.  The introduction of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus on the island earlier this year drastically cut rabbit numbers which resulted in fewer carcasses on the ground and a reduction in secondary poisoning among non-target species.

 

Another key factor in reducing non-target species mortality has been an increased effort by specially dedicated ground crews collecting and burying poisoned carcasses after baiting.

 

Mr Wightman said that while the impact on non-target species was unfortunate, if the pests continued to cause damage it was likely that some seabirds and unique plant species would no longer exist on the island.

 

“This short-term impact will be balanced out by the long-term protection to the island’s ecosystems achieved through the pest eradication.”

 

The team involved in the baiting operation is expected to return to Hobart in late July.

 

Twelve trained hunting dogs are already on the island ready to begin the next phase of the operation, hunting down the rabbits that survived the baiting project.  Hunters will work with the dogs and their handlers to dispatch any rabbits found. This is expected to take up to five years.

Read full article here.

Hostilities resumed in Wyndham's rabbit war

ALTHOUGH floods and mosquitoes have helped keep rabbit numbers down in Wyndham recently, seasonal baiting has begun.

Wyndham Council’s autumn rabbit-control program is in full swing with dog owners advised not to walk their dogs in some areas for the next month.

Baits of chopped carrot, treated with the poison, pindone, are being laid by a licensed contractor in Point Cook, Werribee, Werribee South and Mt Cottrell.

Vitamin K1 is the antidote for pindone, an anti-coagulant poison available from local vets notified of the baiting.

The council has warned residents not to handle carrot pieces or rabbits found in baited areas.

Warning signs were to be placed at all reserve entrances.

Council chief executive officer Kerry Thompson said rabbit populations had fallen in Wyndham due to recent floods and the subsequent increase in mosquitoes, which transmit myxomatosis - lethal to rabbits.

But the council was still required under state legislation to keep rabbit populations under control, she said, hence the continuation of the council’s rabbit eradication program.

“If not controlled, a single pair of rabbits can breed to more than 184 individuals in just 18 months,” she said.

Areas being baited until this Friday are the northern side of Skeleton Creek, between Boardwalk Blvd and Palmers Rd, and Alamanda Wetland Reserve, Point Cook; both sides of the Werribee River from Chirnside Park to the Maltby Bypass, Werribee; Grahams Reserve and K Rd Cliffs, Werribee South; and Cobbledicks Reserve, Mt Cottrell.

For more information, go to wyndham.vic.gov.au

Sourced from Wyndham Leader.

Macquarie Island Cull- Waste of taxpayers $$

“At Senate Estimates today its been revealed that of 305 tonnes of rabbit bait, purchased by Labor at for more than a million dollars and dumped on Macquarie Island, 210 tonnes has been spoilt.”


“As a result, another three quarters of million dollars of taxpayers’ money has been wasted.”


“Tragically it’s also been revealed that rabbit baiting on the Macquarie Island has also led to the deaths of more than 900 seabirds. The actual figure is expected to be much higher.”


Quoted from here.