Residents of Albany are reporting an overwhelming increase in the rabbit population, which is causing significant damage to a prestigious golf course and local farms. These feral rabbits, recognized as one of Australia’s most destructive invasive species, inflict millions of dollars in harm to both the environment and agricultural activities.
A new study on rabbit biocontrol, funded by a $2.6 million investment from the federal government, aims to address this escalating issue.
The Albany Golf Course, situated approximately 450 kilometers south of Perth and home to the state’s oldest golf club, has recently been recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 golf courses. However, the growing rabbit population poses a serious threat to its reputation and upkeep.
Dan Northcott, the course’s general manager, noted that the visible damage caused by rabbits has led to increased repair costs and demands on staff time. “Undoubtedly, this is the highest number of rabbits we’ve ever encountered,” he remarked. “Their population has doubled, if not tripled, in the past two years.”
Jacqui Freeman, the City of Albany’s reserves manager, mentioned that measures such as calicivirus and myxomatosis are being employed to manage rabbit populations in areas where they cause environmental harm or diminish public amenity. However, Northcott expressed concerns about the diminishing effectiveness of these controls, prompting him to consider alternative methods, including shooting.
Cooper Daniels, a gun retailer in Albany, has noticed an uptick in complaints regarding the rabbit situation. He shared, “I used to go out and perhaps shoot three or four rabbits in a night, but now I can easily shoot eight, ten, or even twelve. Some farms I visit have extensive crops being devastated by these rabbits.”
Biocontrol methods, including the calicivirus which was introduced in the 1990s to replace myxomatosis from the 1950s, have been utilized for decades to manage rabbit populations. However, Cranbrook farmer Lewis Miller noted that growing resistance to these viruses has led to a resurgence in rabbit numbers. “When I was younger, seeing a few rabbits was normal, but now their numbers have exploded. They’ve developed immunity over time, leading to increased populations,” he explained.
On his 3,000-hectare property, Miller reported around 40 rabbit warrens, with hundreds of rabbits causing ongoing damage. “It’s certainly a nuisance, especially since they compete with the sheep we raise. Rabbits can graze plants down to their roots, which severely hampers their growth,” he added.
The recent federal funding of $2.6 million for a new rabbit biocontrol study is part of the 2026 budget. The Australian Invasive Species Council has welcomed this funding but cautioned that developing a new virus could take up to a decade.
Senior advocate James Johnston expressed concern, stating that Australia is nearing “plague level proportions” of rabbits, a situation not witnessed since the 1990s. “We are lagging in our efforts to control rabbit populations in this country,” he said.
According to Trish Fleming, a wildlife ecologist from Murdoch University, the biological characteristics of rabbits necessitate the ongoing development of updated control measures. “Significant research is required to create new viruses for biocontrol, and we need a new one every 10 to 15 years because rabbits adapt quickly,” she noted.
A spokesperson from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry indicated that they are addressing recommendations from the National Rabbit Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy, which includes the creation of new control tools.
