Published on Wednesday, 2 April 2025 at 3:14:16 PM
The City of Greater Geraldton is launching stage two of its Integrated Rabbit Control Program this week on City land and reserves with the highest feral populations.
The Chapman River Regional Park, the Community Nursery and the Tom Muir Arboretum in Strathalbyn will be the focus of a two weeklong comprehensive rabbit baiting program from Friday 4 April 2025.
Warren fumigation and destruction will also occur in the Chapman River Regional Estuary and parts of the Chapman River Regional Park.
To ensure the best possible reduction in rabbit populations is achieved, community members are encouraged to undertake their rabbit control programs at the same time.
City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim said the pests can cause severe environmental damage if left uncontrolled.
“Rabbits impact our environment by competing with native animals for food and habitat, they damage our native flora and cause soil erosion in our bush reserves,” he said.
“The Chapman River Regional Park is one of the few remaining quality stands of remnant vegetation in the area and we need to protect it for future generations.
“Signage and advertising will alert the community that rabbit baiting in the area is in progress, however, it is the responsibility of surrounding landholders and visitors to the park to manage their pets carefully while the program is being delivered.”
The baiting product, Pindone, will be mixed with oats by the licenced contractor. Pindone is an anticoagulant poison similar to that found in many rat and rodent control baits. Although it poses a lower risk to humans and pets than the bait used in broad acre rabbit control, an antidote is available from veterinarians.
To reduce the risk to non-target species such as native fauna and pets the bait will only be put out at night when rabbits are most active.
Adjacent landholders should bury any rabbit carcasses they find on their properties as this will further assist in reducing the risk to non-target species that may consume dead rabbits.
For further information on regional rabbit baiting or feral animal control initiatives landholders please contact the City on 9956 6600. More information on Pindone for pet owners is available on the website
This program falls under the Environment pillar of the City’s current Strategic Community Plan where the natural environment is valued and protected.
Back to All News