Researchers are looking for the next step in rabbit control and are asking for landholder help.

Rabbit research officer Tarnya Cox with Industry and Investment’s vertebrate pest unit is on the lookout for dead rabbits to test them for strains of the rabbit calicivirus, or RCD.

Dr Cox said over the past few years they have seen evidence that the rabbit population may be developing a resistance to the current RHD strain.

“We knew this would be an eventuality when the virus was released in 1996,” Dr Cox said.

The next step is releasing an alternative strain, but to do this they need to confirm what rabbits currently have.

“Because the virus changes in the field a bit, we want to make sure what we release is as genetically different from what is out in the field,” she said.

“The best way to do that is to collect samples of what is in the field.”

Dr Cox is asking for anyone who finds a rabbit that appears to have died from RCD, within the last four days, to bring it in for testing.

Symptoms to look for are rabbits that look outwardly healthy apart; despite being dead.

Dr Cox said emaciated rabbits or rabbits with lesions are probably affected by myxomatosis and are not needed.

Dr Cox said landholders are the best people to watch out for these, as rabbits are generally found near their burrows.

Dr Cox said the virus is most likely to move around late March, but the recent rain could see earlier outbreaks.

There will also be another outbreak in spring.

For more information contact Dr Cox on 6391 3952 or email tarnya.cox@industry.nsw.gov.au.