Feral Rabbit Surge Causes Widespread Damage to Western Australia Golf Course and Farms

Rising populations of feral rabbits are causing significant damage to the Albany Golf Course and surrounding agricultural properties in Western Australia, highlighting concerns over the diminishing effectiveness of existing biological control measures.

Located approximately 450 kilometres south of Perth, the Albany Golf Course is home to the state's oldest golf club and was recognized last year as one of Australia's top 100 courses. However, general manager Dan Northcott reported that rabbit numbers on the property have doubled or tripled over the past two years. The animals dig into the greens, resulting in visible damage that requires extensive staff labor to repair.

Local Impact on Agriculture and Pest Control Challenges

The issue extends beyond the golf course into the broader region. Local gun retailer Cooper Daniels noted an increase in customer complaints, adding that local shooters are seeing significantly higher rabbit numbers, which are destroying acres of crops on nearby farms. In Cranbrook, farmer Lewis Miller reported roughly 40 active warrens across his 3,000-hectare property. Miller stated that hundreds of rabbits are competing with his sheep for pasture by grazing plants down to the root system, causing long-term pasture damage.

City of Albany reserves manager Jacqui Freeman noted that local authorities utilize myxomatosis and calicivirus to manage rabbit populations where environmental or property damage occurs. However, both farmers and golf course managers indicate that rabbits are developing immunity to these legacy viruses, which were introduced in the 1950s and 1990s respectively. Due to the declining impact of biocontrols, Northcott is considering alternative management methods, including culling by shooting.

Federal Funding and Future Biocontrol Development

To address the growing problem, the Australian federal government committed $2.6 million in the 2026 budget toward a new rabbit biological control study. Murdoch University wildlife ecologist Trish Fleming explained that because rabbits rapidly breed resistance to existing strains, new biocontrol viruses must be developed every 10 to 15 years.

While the Invasive Species Council welcomed the government funding, senior advocate James Johnston warned that rabbit populations are approaching levels not seen since the 1990s, noting that developing a new virus could take up to a decade. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry confirmed that the department is actively progressing recommendations from the National Rabbit Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy to develop updated management tools.