Rabbits are the biggest threat to Australia’s native species. Why are their numbers booming again? “They can get to incredible numbers and you see the whole landscape gets denuded." "Though they were introduced on the first fleet during the British invasion in 1788, research has traced the species’ continent-wide spread to one consignment of 24 rabbits brought in to the country by settler Thomas Austin in 1859." "By the 1920s, rabbits had reached plague proportions with estimates numbering them in their billions. More recent counts put the current population at closer to 200 million but the true number is unknown as there is no formal monitoring.Their impact on the landscape has been measured. One study found rabbits were having negative effects on 329 threatened species in Australia – more than any other invasive pest." “Peri-urban areas have become a breeding ground because it is more difficult to have people control them there, mainly because the rabbits can be under buildings, for example, or in gardens." >> https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/14/rabbits-austraila-population-native-species-threat #biodiversity #wildlife #pests #EuropeanLegacy #CoffsHarbour #PeriUrbanAreas #pets #NSW #SettlerSociety #Image: Pet bunny with own real estate at Charlesworth Bay, Coffs Harbour. Many (ex-pet) rabbits hopping around the CBD.