RETURN TO THE RABBITS

Rabbit numbers have been up and down on my patch over the past few years. Myxomatosis, which has been around for decades, takes its toll but there always seem to be a few resistant rabbits that make it through and create a new breeding stock.

Far more devastating over recent years has been the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, usually referred to as RHD or RVHD. This highly infectious disease kills quickly, leaves barely any external signs and has a mortality rate of between 70% and 100%. Rabbit populations can disappear swiftly when it strikes.

RHD has been the reason for the decline in rabbit numbers where I live – certainly over the past two or three years. Last year it struck just as the bunnies appeared to be making a comeback, and the result was that I did almost no rabbit shooting at all through the winter and early spring months – there was simply no need to keep their numbers in check.

I am pleased to say that my local rabbit population has been doing a lot better over