Langwarrin Woodlands and Northern Westernport Landcare Group is thrilled to be selected to take part in the national rollout of the RHDV1 K5 Calicivirus release, proposed for March 2017. RHDV1 K5 is the Korean variant of RHDV1, and specific to the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuninculus).
After rigorous research and testing this strain was selected to work better in the cooler and wetter regions Australia than the Czech strain of RHDV1 (V351). The release of this strain of virus will not have the same knock-down effect as seen in parts of Australia during the 1995 Czech strain of RHDV1, which had a success rate of 98%. A more realistic approach for this strain is 10-40%, given that it is a new strain rather than a completely new bio-control agent. This means the group will continue with a strategic, integrated approach to reduce the impacts of rabbit grazing and competition for native ground dwelling mammals.
As decline in the rabbit population occurs, an increase in fox control will be concurrently undertaken to reduce pressure on native species once rabbit numbers dwindle. As a newly fledged Landcare group formed just over a year, we are hitting the ground running, with a fox and rabbit program already completed with support from the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA Community Grants, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. Over the past 18 months, around 20 foxes have been trapped in Langwarrin through the group’s esteemed contractors Timberscope and Ambush Vermin Solutions.
With the prospect of seeing the return of the Southern Brown Bandicoot to our region beyond just a pipe dream, the group has already undertaken a significant and integrated approach to bring down our population of feral pests, with results already showing in reduced rabbit numbers, reduced rabbit grazing, reduced warren activity and reduced fox presence both on camera and in scats and signs. Two Southern Brown Bandicoots have been recorded by NRCL Biolinks research in Langwarrin in 2016.
With the group also being in the rural-urban interface, substantial communications will be required to ensure the community is well informed – particularly those with pet rabbits who will need to consider keeping their pets permanently indoors or creating a safe, vector-free environment for them.
It's our focus and hope that with ongoing pest animal control particularly rabbits/foxes we will continue to see native populations return over time, particularly in Langwarrin, connecting the Pines and the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna reserves and Cranbourne Botanic gardens.
Langwarrin Woodlands and Northern Westernport Landcare Group takes great pride in being situated within the Biosphere Reserve and will continue to strive for great results into the future.
Right here in Langwarrin! This wedge-tailed eagle's nest was discovered on National Tree Day, in Potts Rd Langwarrin bushland. Photos of the nest can be seen on our Local News page. Watch the eagle take out the drone on You Tube.
Do we live in an amazing environment or what?
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