Fences: Rabbit-proof fences were a solution devised by the Australian government. The longest was 1,833 kilometers long. It ran from Cape Keraudren (in the north) to Starvation Boat Harbour (in the south). The fences were not completely effective. Storms, sand damage and other animals ate holes into the fence.

Diseases: In later years, because of the threat to farms and the ecosystem, scientists realized something had to be done.

Australian scientists introduced Myxomatosis in the early 1950s. Myxomatosis is a disease that was designed to curb the rabbit population. The disease is transmitted via mosquitos and fleas. The effects are painful and take 12 days to complete until the rabbit dies. It has a 99.9% mortality rate.

Several rabbits were immune to the Myxomatosis and bred, passing the genetic immunity on to their offspring. As a result, the rabbit population continues to thrive, but Myxomatosis still has devastating effects because new strains are spreading.

Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (also known as Viral Hemorrhagic Disease) is another disease, but it was not intentionally spread by humans. It first appeared in China in 1984, but its origin is a mystery (it’s thought to have originated in China or Europe). It eventually spread to Europe and Mexico. Spread by infected rabbits and their waste, 90% of infected rabbits die. The infected survive for three days, at most, after infection.