豪州のウサギ

4月20日(月)快晴

カンガルーは豪州の固有種ですが、ウサギ、鹿、狐は狩猟目的で移入されたもの。繁殖力旺盛なウサギはかつて全豪で60億匹まで増加。致死性の粘液腫瘍ウイルスを感染させることによりわずか2年間でほぼ絶滅。と思いきや耐性ウサギが現在では6億匹。野生のウサギは緑を減らすだけではなく、巣穴を掘り土地を荒らします。缶詰にして欧州に輸出していますが、より強力な駆除が必要と言われています。ちなみに野生のラクダは500万頭です。

豪州のラクダ

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Rabbits in Australia
Mon. April 20 ; fine

Kangaroos are Australian endemic species but rabbits, deer and foxes were imported as the hunting animals. Fertile rabbits once increased their number up to 6 billion. They almost became extinct within 2 years by letting them infected by fatal myxoma virus, everyone thought, however, there are 60 million virus-torelant rabbits living now. Wild rabbits not only reduce the green but also devastate the farm by digging the ground to make their houses. Although Australia exports canned rabbit meat to Europe it is said that more powerful rabbit extermination must be executed. Incidentally, there are 5 million wild camels in Australia.

camels in Australia