Rabbit population increasing on the East Coast

Rabbit populations are increasing across the East Coast, with authorities hoping that recent calicivirus releases will reverse that.

Glamorgan-Spring Bay Mayor Cheryl Arnol said that populations had increased across the municipality.

“The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas)has been handling the release of calicivirus,” Cr Arnol said.

“I know they haven’t had a lot of success in some areas because of current weather patterns.

“The council has to be guided by NRE Tas as we don’t have any authority to deal with it.”

Biosecurity Tasmania confirmed the growth of the rabbit population.

Biosecurity Tasmania is aware of increased rabbit populations along the East Coast, in particular, Coles Bay, Orford, Swansea, St Helens and Scamander,” a departmental spokesperson said.

“Calicivirus was released on Tasmania’s East Coast, including in Coles Bay, in 2025, and in St Helens, Scamander and Falmouth in 2026.

The department said it avoids releasing the virus in the same area on consecutive years to reduce the likelihood of virus resistance.

“European rabbits are a major environmental menace in Tasmania, causing severe land degradation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss by overgrazing native vegetation and hindering plant regeneration.

“While it is a landowner’s responsibility to manage wild rabbits and other pests on their land, they can request that their property be considered as a private release site for the virus.”

Break O’Day Mayor Mick Tucker said parts of his municipality have become rabbit hotspots.

“People are getting their lawns cut up, their fruit trees are being ring-barked, and they are destroying veggie gardens,” Cr Tucker said.

“I’d like to see NRE be more proactive and not let the population get out of control before they release calicivirus.

“But they also need to be proactive in letting communities know when it is being released so families can manage their pet rabbits.”