Rabbit populations have increased considerably in several nature reserves across Canberra, including Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura. Sections of these nature reserves will be closed to the public from May to July while rabbits are exterminated.
| Reserves closed | Area | Closure period | Days and times | Times |
| Mt Ainslie | Entire reserve | 9 to 26 May | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
| Mt Majura | Entire reserve | 9 to 26 May | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
| Mt Pleasant | Entire reserve | 9 May to 28 July | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
| Percival Hill | Entire reserve | 9 May to 28 July | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
| Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve | Entire reserve | 9 May to 30 June | Tuesday and Thursday | 8pm to 3am |
The ACT Parks and Conservation Service maintains rabbit populations below a density where they cause significant environmental harm.
Rabbits are a declared pest under the Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005.
“Rabbits are a serious environmental pest as their grazing results in a loss of vegetation and their warrens contribute to soil erosion,” an ACT Government spokesperson said. “Grazing by rabbits threatens the survival of native birds, mammals, and insects that rely on plants for food and shelter.
“Rabbits have contributed to the extinction of many native plant and animal species. Rabbits compete with livestock for available pasture, and kill young trees and shrubs.
“If left uncontrolled, rabbits will further invade surrounding land including back yards, causing more damage to the environment and private property.”
Before rabbits are killed, they are monitored to estimate starting rabbit population densities; assess actual or potential damage levels; determine the location, extent, and activity of warrens; identify potential impacts on non-target species and the environment; and set the objectives and targets for the management program.
The ACT Government’s Best Practice Management Guide for Rabbits in the ACT informs the rabbit control program. Different rabbit control measures are used depending on the circumstances.
The government also undertakes all rabbit control measures in accordance with Pestsmart Standard operating procedures.
One measure is Thermally Assisted Shooting: using thermal camera technology. “This increases the efficacy and safety elements of shooting to a standard where it can be used as an additional control technique in an integrated program,” an ACT Government spokesperson explained.
Thermal assisted rabbit control has been used at the Mulligans Flat/ Goorooyarroo sanctuary since 2014. This is the first time it will be used across Canberra Nature Park.
This measure is carried out by experienced contractors complemented by experienced and trained staff from the ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
Contractors and PCS staff collect the dead rabbits. Some of the rabbits may be used in conservation monitoring programs.
Due the risks of disease and contamination, euthanised rabbits are not fit for human consumption.
More information on rabbit control is available on the ACT Environment website.
