Rabbits scientists’ bunnies

DEAD rabbit’s liver.
It’s not the most appealing subject, but it is certainly in high demand at the Orange Agricultural Institute.
Residents who come across a recently dead rabbit are asked to contribute the carcass or liver to help researchers gain the upper hand in the biological warfare on the ferals.
By analysing the livers, NSW Department of Primary Industries scientist Tarnya Cox and her team are hoping to gain further insight into counteracting rabbits’ immunity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD).

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Worst rabbit plague since 1995 could spiral out of control

IT'S the worst rabbit plague in Australia since the 1995 release of the calicivirus from Wardang Island.

And it's threatening much of the good work in eradicating the nation's most costly animal pest.

Authorities have blamed a reduced focus on controlling the rabbit pest and immunity to calicivirus for the growing problem, which costs the nation an estimated $200 million a year.

Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia chairman Nicholas Newland said a failure to recognise the extent of the emerging issue was exacerbating the problem.

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Feral cull on Australian sub-Antarctic island

Another attempt is underway to try to kill every rabbit, rat and mouse on Macquarie Island.

The sub-Antarctic island, half way between Australia's southern island state of Tasmania and Antarctica, is a key breeding ground for rare sea birds, penguins and seals.

But it's also been a breeding ground for feral animals that are eating bird eggs and gorging their way through the native grasses.

Last year's attempts to kill the pests failed, and and a second attempt to cull the feral animals is now underway.


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Environmental campaigners angry as green laws labelled as red tape

All of Britain's 278 environment laws under review, including National Park, Clean Air and Climate Change Acts

Green laws such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which protects vulnerable species including the brown hare, are up for review. Photograph: Wildstock/PA

Environmental campaigners have condemned the coalition's inclusion of all of Britain's 278 environmental laws in a list of "red tape" regulations considered by the public for the axe.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act, National Park Act, Clean Air Act and the Climate Change Act are among the packages of environmental safeguards included in the "red tape challenge" – a crowdsourcing exercise launched by the government to establish which regulations restrict business in the UK.

All of the UK's more than 21,000 pieces of regulation are included on the government's website for an evaluation. Users are told only the issues of tax and national security are exempted. Participants are assured the "onus" will be on ministers to make the case for keeping a regulation recommended for cutting.

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