Long-term effects of warren ripping for rabbit control in semi-arid South Australia.

Abstract

Warren ripping and poisoning were used to control rabbits on the flood-out plain of a major creek system on Manunda Station, a sheep-grazing property near Yunta in semi-arid South Australia. Rabbit numbers were initially reduced by >99 per cent, as indicated by the number of active entrances remaining in rabbit warrens. After nearly 10 years without follow-up control work, ripped warrens had only two per cent of the pre-control number of active entrances. Poisoning effectively reduced rabbit numbers in the short-term, but had no long-term effect on the number of active entrances, either in ripped or unripped warrens. Perennial shrubs regenerated on and around ripped warrens. Warren ripping on this part of Manunda is a cost-effective management option.