Site locations
The evaluation took place in two parts over three properties in New
South Wales, Australia. Part 1 was undertaken on two private properties
in the Central Tablelands in November 2017. Part 2 occurred on public
land in the Central West in June2018. We classified the rabbit
populations at each of these locations as very high (>10
rabbits/Ha), high (>5 rabbits/Ha), medium (2-5 rabbits/Ha)
and low (<2 rabbits/Ha) using standard white-light spotlight
counts (Mitchell and Balogh 1996). For Part 1, one property was
overgrazed, had little-to-no vegetation and a very high population of
rabbits. The other property was a disused stock paddock that contained
stands of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus species aggregate) on the
gully lines and was overrun with serrated tussock (Nassella
trichotoma ). This property had a low rabbit population. Rabbit warrens
on these two properties had an average depth of 600-800mm and we
surveyed five warrens at each property. For Part 2 the land was part of
the national travelling stock route (authorised thoroughfare for the
walking of domestic livestock from one location to another across
Australia) and at the time of the survey consisted of open sandy country
with stands of Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia ). The
average rabbit warren depth was 1500-2500mm and the rabbit population
was classified as very high. We surveyed a 6.11Ha portion of the area.