Humane control of rabbit populations - What is the most humane pest control method?
/‘What’s up Doc?’....Yes they are fluffy and cute but wild rabbits are known to cause considerable losses to agricultural and horticultural industries.
In fact, if you are a landowner, you must obey the law to control rabbit numbers on your property or land. With this in mind, it is also an offense to cause unnecessary pain and suffering to rabbits caught in snares or traps.
By law it is your duty to control wild rabbit populations but what is the most humane way to do so?
In this article, we will discuss the pest control methods used to deal with wild rabbits and the most humane way to give the least amount of suffering.
Why do we need to control wild rabbits?
Rabbits are classed as a pest animal.
They can cause serious environmental problems such as soil erosion and degradation of native vegetation. Rabbits also compete with native fauna for food and habitat.
Rabbits can be difficult to control even when they are in small numbers, and there are very few available methods that are inherently humane.
However, it is possible to improve the humaneness of a control program by ensuring that it is carried out at the most appropriate time and in accordance with best practice.
Irrespective of the method used, it must only be carried out by a skilled and competent operator.
Related content - Do I have a rabbit problem? How to get rid of your infestation and prevent them in the future.
What is considered a humane way to control wild rabbits?
It is worth mentioning that before you reach the stage of wild rabbit pest control, preventative measures should be taken, in the first instance, to decrease the impact of rabbits rather than just focusing on killing rabbits in the short term.
Preventative methods include the use of fencing and repellents.
In most situations due to their breeding rate rabbits are almost impossible to eradicate and it’s about employing a control system. In this situation, it’s about identifying the quickest and most effective methods.
The 4 Most common ways to control Wild Rabbits
Humane Control: Gassing to Control Wild Rabbits
This method is carried out by placement of tablets in warren entrances. The tablets release a concentration of poisonous gas when in contact with moisture. They are inserted into each hole of the burrow. Each hole should then be immediately blocked to kill any rabbits below ground.
Once inhaled, the poisonous gas is extremely toxic to rabbits resulting in rapid death This is a much more humane way to administer a poisonous substance. At present, there is no method of edible poison that is humane and viable to control rabbit populations.
Humane Control: Traps and Snares for Wild Rabbits
Snaring and traps are better known for dealing with larger pest issues such as foxes however they can also be used effectively with rabbits too when implemented correctly. The pest control method is subject to legal restrictions - The Animal Welfare Act (2006) and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act (2006).
Snaring and traps are not well regarded due to the welfare problems when used incorrectly by creating distress and injury both to the animals for which the snare is set and through the accidental capture of non-target species.
It is the responsibility of all involved in pest and predator control to ensure their methods are legal, humane, and carried out with sensitivity and respect for other countryside users.
Snaring is not a method we carry out or recommend.
Related content - Are humane traps, really humane?
Humane Control: Ferreting to Control Wild Rabbits
Ferrets are sent down into the rabbit burrow system. The ferrets drive rabbits into nets, which are placed over the burrow entrances.
Once captured in the nets, cervical dislocation is used in the human dispatch of the rabbits. This may sound gruesome, but this hands on method is actually regarded is a very humane way to control rabbit populations. It causes rapid death with minimal anxiety to the wild rabbit.
Humane Control: Shooting of Wild Rabbits
Usually carried out at night when rabbits are most active, this is one of the most humane ways to control a small wild rabbit population due to its instant kill method.
With the use of a competent and qualified shooter they focus on the rabbit warrens and use spotlights or night vision to locate the rabbits coming out of their warrens. The shooter who is often supported by a ‘spotter’ will then dispatch them individually with a silencer rifle, providing an instant kill blow to the rabbit. The only drawback is how time-consuming the task can be, particularly in unsociable times of the day and year (November nights).
Summary
The method undertaken to humanely control wild rabbit populations depend on the habitat, time of year and surrounding environment involved.
The key takeaway is the importance of using the quickest kill solution while providing the most effective results to prevent repeated attempts at managing the population causing unnecessary trauma to the target animal.