Rabbits in Australia - History

History

Rabbits were first introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788. They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains. However, by 1827 in Tasmania, a newspaper article noted "…the common rabbit is becoming so numerous throughout the colony, that they are running about on some large estates by thousands. We understand, that there are no rabbits whatever in the elder colony" . This clearly shows a localised rabbit population explosion was underway in Tasmania in the early 19th century. At the same time in NSW, Cunningham noted, "... rabbits are bred around houses, but we have yet no wild ones in enclosures..." He also noted the scrubby, sandy soil between Sydney and Botany Bay would be ideal for farming rabbits. Enclosures appear to mean more extensive rabbit-farming warrens, rather than cages. The first of these, in Sydney at least, was one built by Alexander Macleay at Elizabeth Bay House, "a preserve or rabbit-warren, surrounded by a substantial stone wall, and well stocked with that choice game." In the 1840s rabbit-keeping became even more common, with examples of the theft of rabbits from ordinary peoples' houses appearing in court records, and rabbits entering the diets of ordinary people.

A question remains as to why there was no outbreak before the start of the current infestation. The localised Tasmanian rabbit plague was noted, but it would be surprising if there were no escapes from the many warrens and cages that would have been present throughout the area of European settlement in southeastern Australia. It is possible the native predators, particularly carnivorous dasyurids, were much more effective as natural controllers of the population than the later foxes and feral cats. When their populations collapsed as a result of habitat destruction, and sometimes deliberate hunting, rabbit populations could rise with far less restraint.

The current infestation appears to have originated with the release of 24 wild rabbits by Thomas Austin on his property, Barwon Park, near Winchelsea, Victoria, in October 1859 for hunting purposes. While living in England, Austin had been an avid hunter, regularly dedicating his weekends to rabbit shooting. Upon arriving in Australia, which had no native rabbit population, Austin asked his nephew William Austin in England to send him 12 grey rabbits, five hares, 72 partridges and some sparrows so he could continue his hobby in Australia by creating a local population of the species. However, William could not source enough grey rabbits to meet his uncle's order, so he topped it up by buying domestic rabbits. One theory as to why the Barwon park rabbits adapted so well to Australia is that the hybrid rabbits that resulted from the interbreeding of the two distinct types were particularly hardy and vigorous. Many other farms released their rabbits into the wild after Austin.

At the time he had stated, "The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting."

Rabbits are extremely prolific creatures, and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country. Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion. With mild winters, rabbits were able to breed the entire year. With widespread farming, areas that may have been scrub or woodlands were instead turned into vast areas with low vegetations, creating ideal habitats for rabbits.

In a classic example of unintended consequences, within ten years of their introduction in 1859, rabbits had become so prevalent that two million could be shot or trapped annually without having any noticeable effect on the population. It was the fastest spread ever recorded of any mammal anywhere in the world. Today, rabbits are entrenched in the southern and central areas of the country, with scattered populations in the northern deserts. It is strange now to read in the Portland "Guardian" of 1868, under the heading of "A Malicious Act," the following:- "Mr. J. Trangmar received from Mr. Austin some wild rabbits. They rapidly multiplied, but some evil-disposed person has been digging them out. We believe they are known, and hope they will be punished." (Thus is patriotism rewarded).

Although the rabbit is a notorious pest, it proved helpful to many people during the Great Depression and during wartime. Trapping rabbits helped farmers, stockmen and stationhands by providing something to eat and extra income, and in some cases helped pay off farming debts. Rabbits were fed to working dogs, and boiled to be fed to the poultry. Later, frozen rabbit carcases were traded locally and exported. Pelts, too, were used in the fur trade and are still used in the felt-hat industry.