Your View: not all rabbits are pests - an open letter

The ORC's plan to release a Korean strain of the RCD virus has prompted concerned pet owner Marty Bishop to write an open letter criticising the idea. Photo / Paul Taylor

The Otago Regional Council seems likely to spend up to $50,000 in unbudgeted funding to co-ordinate the release of a Korean strain of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus this year in an attempt to cull the wild rabbit population.

This has caused concern among our readers, one of whom has written an open letter to highlight the fact that not all rabbits are pests.

To Whom it may concern,

I am one of many people terrified of RCD. The current version is bad enough but the newer ones, I feel, are much too extreme. It isn't only because I have a great love of domestic rabbits but also because I have some knowledge of biology, I have a family and my career is in the dairy industry.

These 4 things scream out "NO" to RCD in any form as I see it as a threat to everything I love: my family, my work, my hobby and my country!

You may ask why I feel everything I have worked and cared for is at risk. My answer is that a virus (particularly calici) is unpredictable. It can change and adapt itself, it already has done so. It is incurable and has the ability to remain in the environment under extreme conditions. Even vaccines have limited effectiveness.

Here in NZ, we pride ourselves on being clean and green. I don't see how this image can stand if the Government/Councils encourage the release of viruses that biologically destroy the major organs of an animal that lives in our country.

Social media is a powerful body that condemns those that cause suffering, wild animals included. What will be the reaction to NZ images of the destruction of our beloved pets and wildlife. In some cases these rabbits have been saviours to people as well!

You may think that is a hysterical thought but there are many people that are in need of something to love and care for. Unless you have experienced the addition of a rabbit to your life you may scoff. Rabbits are quite unique in their ability to soothe and calm, to give joy and fun, and for some people purpose in a life that can be far from perfect.

I have also seen what the virus can do. It is unstoppable when strong. It causes cries of pain which can go on, it seems, for ever. For the people associated to these dying animals it is heart breaking and I can say, after witnessing the virus, you never feel completely safe again.

I do not understand why viruses are encouraged in our environment and never will. I believe in preventing health issues not gambling with something that has no control method in place.

Humans have made many mistakes in the past which have destroyed many species or caused imbalances within our ecosystems. It has always been thought as the best solution at the time but greed and convenience are not always the best triggers when playing with nature.

I would ask that we go to safer methods of eradication that is humane and will not become a Pandora's box of the future

Regards,
Marty Bishop