The season of rabbits running riot is done, with the City of Victor Harbor starting this year’s rabbit control program in February. 

Conducted in conjunction with Landscape Hills and Fleurieu, the program will involve distribution of carrots laced with calicivirus across 10 sites on council parks and reserves.

Bluff Reserve, Finnis Road Reserve, Oliver’s Parade, GS Read Reserve and Hindmarsh River Reserve are the target areas, which will be monitored and clearly signed for the duration.

The council says rabbits are a serious threat to food production and biodiversity. 

“They can cause significant damage by eating native plants, out-competing native animals and digging warrens that cause erosion. 

“Rabbits can also destroy crops, pastures and native vegetation, creating millions of dollars’ worth of damage.”

The rabbit control program will start from 3 February, with the calicivirus-treated carrots distributed on Tuesday 11 February and collected the next day.

The council says the Calicivirus RHDV K5 affects rabbits exclusively, posing no threat to dogs, possums, birds, or humans. 

It advises pet rabbit owners to vaccinate their animals.

More information about rabbit control is available on the Landscape Hills and Fleurieu website.