European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are a serious invasive pest in Australia. Rabbits cause millions of dollars in damage to crops annually and, even at very low numbers, cause major impacts to the natural environment.

Once established in rural areas rabbits can cause extensive damage to crops, pastures and native vegetation and are difficult to control, requiring constant landholder action to manage. Rabbits construct burrows that enable them to survive a wide range of environmental conditions. They adapt to a wide range of food types and their ability to graze plants to ground level contributes to the enormous damage they cause. It is the legal responsibility of the land owner to control rabbits on their property, and penalties can be imposed for failing to do so under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

The video titled "Menace Of The Rabbit (1948)" is an archival newsreel documenting Australia's struggle with a massive rabbit infestation in the mid-20th century.

It showcases the ecological and agricultural devastation caused by the unchecked rabbit population, which led to significant crop destruction and land degradation.

The footage highlights the extensive measures taken to control the outbreak, including fencing, poisoning, and trapping, underscoring the severity of the issue and the lengths to which authorities went to mitigate the damage.​

European rabbits were brought over to Australia in the 1800s, and they have caused great environmental damage since then. Experts have even stated European rabbits' introduction to Australia was one of the fastest spreading instances of an invasive mammal.

This article is a historical resource provided by National Geographic.

Introducing, keeping and supplying rabbits in Queensland is illegal and penalties apply. Limited types of permits for domestic rabbits are available from Biosecurity Queensland for research purposes, public display, magic acts, and circuses. Before a permit is granted, guidelines must be met.

Rabbits are one of the most destructive invasive species in Australia. This video gives an overview of the species and the management techniques land owners can use to control them. This video is Part 1 of a five-part series: Rabbit control in Victoria, Rabbit control in Victoria - baiting, Rabbit control in Victoria - ripping, Rabbit control in Victoria - fumigation, Supplementary Rabbit control options in Victoria Thumbnail image credit: Rick Nash and the Invasive Animals CRC

Newsroom Investigates goes down the rabbit hole looking at the South Island region overrun with rabbits.