Already parts of crops across the Dubbo Rurals Lands Protection Board (RLPB) area have been destroyed by the pests and as spring approaches and breeding increases, further damage could be done.

Sightings have already increased across the region and according to Dubbo RLPB pest animal ranger Lisa Thomas, now is the time to do something about the problem.

“In the last 18 months there has been a huge migration of rabbits to the region,” Ms Thomas said.

“In times of drought rabbits tend to live in small colonies but as the drought seems to be fading away slowly they are breeding and at the moment we would have the highest number of rabbits we’ve had in the region for 10 years.

“We are getting daily complaints from people across the district and we have already helped a few people out.

“After the rain we had at the weekend we encourage people with a rabbit problem to fumigate burrows because if we do nothing then the problem will grow - and grow quickly.”

Fumigation involves hunting the rabbits back into their burrow and then placing tablets in the burrow which kill the animals underground.

Dubbo City Council has reported a small increase in numbers at the Cumboogle Flora Reserve on Obley Road while there has been an increase in sightings at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Closer to town, rabbits have been sighted at the old cemetery on Cobborah Road.

Ms Thomas said rabbits could breed at a rapid rate which made now an opportune time to try and control the problem.

“They can have four litters a year and can usually start to breed from eight weeks of age so there is a chance of a rapid expansion of the population,” she said.

“I visited a property recently where rabbits had damaged about three acres of a canola crop. They are just starting to get to the point where they are nuisance value.

“We will be having further discussions with the zoo about their problem because they really have an ideal setting out there. It is well-watered and green, and provides plenty of food.

“They have to be particularly careful with their pest maintenance because we don’t want non-target animals to be killed or made ill through baiting or anything like that.”

ben.walker@ruralpress.com