Rabbit, rabbit -- Happy New Year

Rabbit, Rabbit (ODT)

"I have some facts about how the rabbit arrived in New Zealand. I copied them from a poster on the wall of the late Allan Harrison, from Queenstown. He was a great deer stalker and hunter and author of hunting books.

I thought a letter to your paper might help some people understand the rabbit situation:

In 1838 rabbits were first liberated in the North Island; 1844 in South Otago; 1858 in Kaikoura; 1862 Invercargill and Queenstown; 1862-67 extensive liberation in New Zealand.

In 1873, 33,000 rabbit skins exported; 1877 1 million rabbit skins exported; 1882, 9 million rabbit skins exported.

In 1883, 400 ferrets, 309 weasels and 137 stoats were liberated.

In 1887, rabbit boards were formed in Hawkes Bay and North Canterbury to fight the rabbit menace.

In 1888, 503,00 skins were taken from Remarkable Station.

From 1888 to 1896, 30,000 ferrets were released.

In 1888, rabbits broke all the natural habits and penetrated into Dusky Sound water shed, the McKinnon Pass area on the Milford Track, the Upper Hollyford Valley and even crossed the Southern alps in South Westland valleys.

In 1936, protection was removed from ferrets, stoats and weasels. From 1938-47, 13,335,000 skins were sold annually.

In 1945, 20,919,000 rabbits were killed plus fumigation of burrows.

In 1947, the rabbit boards formed throughout New Zealand and rabbits were decommercialized

Rex McDonald—Queenstown
ODT January 3, 2011