The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is remaining tight lipped on how it plans to address issues raised by the Meander Valley Council on the overpopulation of European rabbits at Westbury.
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Last week the council wrote to DPIPWE requesting a solution for the increased population of European rabbits at Westbury and offering a venue for a public information meeting.
A DPIPWE spokesperson said the department would continue to engage with the council on the matter, but did not outline how it would respond to the issue.
They said it operated a statewide rabbit management program that included advice, as well as the use of chemicals pindone and calici virus.
"Calici virus is released during the March to July period in areas where there are identified rabbit problems. This occurred multiple times in the Westbury area in 2020, and Biosecurity Tasmania officers have recently been in contact with specific landowners from Westbury," they said.
"Whilst there is no statewide monitoring program for wild rabbits, DPIPWE utilises both reports from the community as well as data from previous years baiting programs to inform annual control programs."
The department spokesperson said with the increased availability of food for rabbits, especially grass, it meant they may be less likely to take bait in preference for available food.
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They said landowners could hire a licensed pest contractor, install rabbit proof fencing and undertake weed management to negate the issue.
"Those licensed contractors require a permit issued under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995 for use of the chemical pindone, however DPIPWE retains responsibility for the release of calici," they said.
"Rabbit numbers in Tasmania fluctuate due to seasonal conditions. Current conditions are good for rabbits to breed and ... an increased number of rabbits has been seen in some areas."
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Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
