Story: South Canterbury region

Dealing with rabbits

By the late 1980s, the Mackenzie Country and Central Otago were overrun with rabbits. They damaged pasture and reduced stocking ratios. This clip highlights the extent of the problem. Traditional culling methods proved ineffective and in 1997 some farmers illegally released the calicivirus disease, fatal to rabbits, in the district.

Using this item

TVNZ Television New Zealand

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

John Wilson, 'South Canterbury region - Climate, vegetation and wildlife', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/11323/dealing-with-rabbits (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by John Wilson, updated 1 Feb 2017