Residents advised to vaccinate pet rabbits
Owners of pet rabbits on the Peninsula have been advised to vaccinate them prior to a rabbit control program to be held in the area on March 3.
The wild rabbit control program will be in Umina, as well as five other locations on the Central Coast and other areas in the Greater Sydney area.
Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Central Coast Council issued a media release stating that it would be participating in the program to release the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV1-K5) - also known as calicivirus.
Some private landholders and other public land managers are expected to release the virus across the region at the same time.
"Wild rabbits are Australia's most destructive agricultural pest, causing severe competition for resources and land degradation," said Central Coast Council chief executive Mr David Farmer.
"They are recognised as a key threat to Australian native animals, plants and endangered ecological communities.
"RHDV1-K5 has been used for wild rabbit control since 2017.
"It is species-specific, affecting only rabbits and posing no risk to native wildlife or other pets.
"Council strongly advises pet rabbit owners to vaccinate their rabbits by 1 March 2025.
"Pet rabbit owners should also take extra precautions, including maintaining good hygiene, providing mosquito-proof housing and preventing contact with other rabbits."
Further information is available from Greater Sydney Local Land Services by phone on (02) 4724 2100.
Landholders and residents can report sightings of rabbits or evidence of disease through the Rabbit Scan portal at www.rabbitscan.org.au.
SOURCE:
Media release, 19 Feb 2025
Central Coast Council