| Council aims to enforce rabbit controls Central Otago landowners have six months to control rabbit numbers before Otago Regional Council enforces management plans. Some farmers did not need shooters on their land in the 24-hour shooting competition, as poisoning last winter had been successful, but other farmers were wanting two teams sent out to control an explosion of rabbits, he said. This year, 420 shooters in 35 teams would be taking part in the event. Twelve teams were turned away as not enough landowners had signed up. Last year, 564 shooters shot a total of 22,904 rabbits during the event. Unfortunately, rabbits thrived and bred well in the region, he said. The record number shot during the 24 hours was the 1997 tally of 23,949 rabbits Central Otago landowners have six months to control rabbit numbers before Otago Regional Council enforces management plans. Central Otago landowners were doing their best to reduce rabbits, but some were struggling to get numbers down, Mr Lord said. David Ramsay, who organises the Great Alexandra Easter Bunny Hunt, said Upper Clutha farmers were struggling to control rabbits, but some areas in the region were improving. The number of rabbits in St Bathans, which had been inundated two years ago, had since decreased, Mr Ramsay said. Most farmers had been doing their bit to eradicate the pest, but were being let down by lifestyle block owners who were not being vigilant enough, he said. Federated Farmers Otago president Mike Lord said for some landowners to meet the minimum rabbit target, it was "simply not going to happen". Under the council's pest management strategy, landowners have until October to sort out rabbit infestations. Council regional services manager Jeff Donaldson said the strategy was being implemented to reduce rabbit populations to a level 3 category of "infrequent sightings". |
Saturday 31 March 2012
Council aims to enforce rabbit controls
