<P> In 1857 -- 1858 Alexander Buchanan , overseer for F.H. Dutton 's Anlaby Estate in the Mid-North of South Australia , released a number of rabbits for hunting sport . Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866 , presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and were protected by an Act of Parliament , but by 1867 was out of control . The population explosion was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators , but is easily explained by the emergence of a hardier breed by natural selection . </P>
<P> In 1857 -- 1858 Alexander Buchanan , overseer for F.H. Dutton 's Anlaby Estate in the Mid-North of South Australia , released a number of rabbits for hunting sport . Their population remained fairly stable until around 1866 , presumed to have been kept in check by native carnivores and were protected by an Act of Parliament , but by 1867 was out of control . The population explosion was ascribed to the disappearance of native predators , but is easily explained by the emergence of a hardier breed by natural selection . </P>
when did rabbits become a problem in australia
when did rabbits become a problem in australia
by 1867
by 1867