Canberra scientists are hoping to control the population of rabbits that are ruining farmers’ crops with a genetically modified virus that renders the animals infertile.
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Researchers at the Pest Animal Control Co-operative Research Centre revealed that the contraceptive virus was created by inserting a gene into the myxomatosis virus that makes females produce antibodies against their own eggs.
A pair of rabbits can produce 30-40 bunnies every year, but releasing the virus is expected to make 70% to 80% of wild female rabbits sterile, and bring the Australian rabbit population to levels similar to those in Europe.
It is estimated that rabbits are the most destructive pest in Australia, costing farmers and the native environment millions of dollars a year.
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