Oryctolagus cuniculus
European Rabbit at Watson, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Oryctolagus cuniculus | MichaelBedingfield | 24 Sep 2026 | |
| Oryctolagus cuniculus | CarbonAI | 24 Sep 2026 | |
| Oryctolagus cuniculus | waltraud | 24 Sep 2026 |
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User's notes
A dead rabbit which died probably within the last 24 hours (eyes); I couldn't see any injury; perhaps Calici virus? I found a dead rabbit and a dead hare in the area which tested positive for recombinant RHDV2 virus; see comment here https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/3394564
3 comments
25 Sep 2026
Barb, the location is correct; however I collected the rabbit for CSIRO yesterday so it isn't there anymore. It'll be interesting whether the rabbit tests positive for Calici virus as the hare and rabbit I found previously in the area.
2 Oct 2026
The liver sample tested POSITIVE for RHDV2. CSIRO Biosecurity Projects Officer explained:
"The positive result indicates that the rabbit was infected with RHDV2, though whether this will lead to an outbreak is a bit harder to say. If you see multiple rabbit deaths in the area though, then that’s usually an indication of an outbreak.
In the past, we generally see an uptick in virus activity around Spring due to an increase in fly activity and rabbit numbers. More recently, we have detected RHDV2 in Carwoola (NSW), Lyneham (ACT) and Druoin (VIC), and we are also getting more requests for test kits across the country. RHDV2, unlike RHDV1, can kill young rabbits and is the current dominant circulating strain in Australia. This is good news for those with a rabbit problem! Hopefully, this leads to a knockdown in rabbit numbers, and people can then follow-up with other control methods to get the rabbits that are unsusceptible for whatever reason."
"The positive result indicates that the rabbit was infected with RHDV2, though whether this will lead to an outbreak is a bit harder to say. If you see multiple rabbit deaths in the area though, then that’s usually an indication of an outbreak.
In the past, we generally see an uptick in virus activity around Spring due to an increase in fly activity and rabbit numbers. More recently, we have detected RHDV2 in Carwoola (NSW), Lyneham (ACT) and Druoin (VIC), and we are also getting more requests for test kits across the country. RHDV2, unlike RHDV1, can kill young rabbits and is the current dominant circulating strain in Australia. This is good news for those with a rabbit problem! Hopefully, this leads to a knockdown in rabbit numbers, and people can then follow-up with other control methods to get the rabbits that are unsusceptible for whatever reason."
Location information
- Coordinates 149.160600-35.225461
- Places Watson, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- 23 Sep 2026 11:40 AM Recorded on
- waltraud Recorded by
Collections
- waltraud NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Latest Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbits & Hares Mammals
Species information
- Oryctolagus cuniculus Scientific name
- European Rabbit Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Exotic
- Major weed or pest
- Up to 1909.02m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
4 / 7
- Images or audio
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- More than one media file
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- Additional attributes