Help bait bunnies this February

AS Maude and District Landcare Group’s 2021 rabbit baiting campaign approaches, they’re encouraging residents to express their interest in getting involved.

Campaign coordinator Lex Stray has been involved for 20 years and said the conservation team are the only group in the district facilitating this kind of program.

“In case your rabbits are fighting fit, numerous, and breeding like rabbits, you may be interested in our next rabbit poisoning campaign in February,” she said.

“We only use Pindone poison for rabbits, not 1080. People must be prepared to come to Maude as we don’t deliver it.

“People have to come on each of the three days to pick some fresh bait up and use it. It’s a cumulative poison with an aqueous base that will go off if it’s not looked after properly.”

The current plan is that poison will be picked up and used across Friday, 5, Monday, 8 and Thursday, 11 February.

Last year, full 20-kilogram bags of Pindone poisoned carrot worth $72 were available, as were $42 half-bags and $27 quarter-bags. Prices are expected to be similar in 2021.

The cumulative poison should be put out on all three nights and laid in a shallow trail. It is an anticoagulant, blocking the animal’s blood-clotting capabilities.

Non-poisoned carrot introduced to the rabbits beforehand will mean they’re easily drawn to the bait. The Landcare Group doesn’t supply the plain carrots.

The secretary has a database with the names of anyone who has ever expressed interest in the campaign over many years and will contact those people via email as the event draws nearer, or if plans change due to the unpredictability of COVID-19.

Neighbours may organise to share the bait amongst themselves.

Contact Laura Hollingsworth at [email protected], or call Lex Stray on 5281 9293 or Elaine Johns on 5281 9395 to register interest.