19 March
2019
A
successful rabbit cull two decades ago has had unforeseen consequences, with a
study finding wedge-tailed eagles are now preying on one of Australia’s rarest
birds.
The
University of Queensland research found that more native species, including the
critically-endangered plains-wanderer, were now being taken by wedge-tailed
eagles.
UQ School
of Biological Sciences PhD candidate Graham Fulton said the change in diet
occurred when a radical approach was taken to reduce out-of-control rabbit
populations.
“The
rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus or RHDV – a virus that only harms rabbits –
was introduced into western New South Wales in 1996 and 1997,” he said.
“In terms
of reducing rabbit numbers, it was hugely successful, in some areas killing up
to 90 per cent of rabbit populations.
“What was
probably not recognised at the time, was that rabbits were between 56 and 69
per cent of the wedge-tailed eagle’s diet, so after the cull their diet had to
change.
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