A researcher at the University of Wyoming says urban rabbit populations such as those at Cannon Hill were of interest for researching hormone control as a more humane way of controlling numbers.

Cannon Hill rabbits are not so famous that they are known on the world research stage.

The link with the Wyoming research came after Warrnambool resident Angela Alexander found a wild rabbit suffering from myxomatosis crawling in the gutter at the reserve. It was blind, struggling to breathe and being attacked by crows.

The animal’s extreme distress motivated Ms Alexander to think there must be a better way to control the animals. 

An online search led her to research being done at the university, which uses hormones to control birth numbers without otherwise harming the rabbits.

“It was a shock seeing that poor rabbit. It was common when I was a kid and we just took it for granted — but seeing it again shocked me and got me thinking that there has to be a better way,” Ms Alexander said.

Researcher Dr Donal Skinner, head of the university’s Department of Zoology and Physiology, said a trial on urban populations in Warrnambool was of high interest to the research team. 

Small populations are preferred for the research because it’s possible to better monitor the dosing and results before applying the findings on a wider scale.

Fellow researcher Dr Marjorie MacGregor is planning a trip to Warrnambool in August for initial field research.

Dr MacGregor said the drug being used is not transferable to non-target species and does not affect the health and fitness of the target species. 

The researchers say the technique can be used with a wide range of species including rabbits, deer and foxes.

Dr Skinner said the drug used is a peptide which is broken down by enzymes in the digestive system. 

“We just ended a three-year study on the health effects of treated coyotes — on body fat, bone mineral density and lean muscle mass in addition to assessing organ systems. 

“We found no ill effects after three years.”