Here is a very biased letter from Nicholas Newland (used to be co-ordinator of the RCD Program and was the Co-ordinator at the time the RCD virus "escaped" from Wardang Island). Now he has found another niche in the Anti-Rabbit Research Foundation (and this Foundation has recently sent me a threatening letter re my web site - the letter is now on my website for all to read). If you read Mr Newland's letter (below) which suggests that an overall decline in birds of prey is fine because "populations of some birds of prey are very likely to have been maintained at artificially higher levels", don't be fooled. A recent survey of the Strezlecki Ranges, one of Australia's premier breeding grounds for Australia's Wedge-tailed Eagle showed no breeding pairs in 1997. Also,Mr Newland omits to say what BASELINE he uses in his statement that "some birds of prey are very likely to have been maintained at artificially higher levels". Research has shown that from the time of the arrival of the European Settler, (the most "feral"of any species in Australia) huge areas of habitat were destroyed and many native species were driven to extinction in South Australia and in other parts of Australia due to the introduction of grazing hard hoofed animals in fragile areas of low rainfall. The European rabbit arrived in time to fill the niche and provide an ample food supply for Australian birds of prey and other carnivores. The Anti-Rabbit Foundation also promotes the use and spread of cruel and dangerous diseases that may threaten other species beyond rabbits (including humans).Also, many of those who support the ideals of being "anti-rabbit" are farmers with a vested interest in conserving the available pastures for their grazing meat animals. To see more of the AARF check out their website at: http://adelaide.net.au/~arrfa/default.htm (Here is Mr Newland's letter on behalf of the Anti Rabbit Research Foundation of Australia ) 3 July 1998 The Editor Australian Landcare PO Box 160 Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Dear Editor, Congratulations on the content and style of your publication. It is both comprehensive and very informative. The opening paragraph of the article entitled 'Birds of prey in decline' by Julie Francis in the June edition caught my attention. She asserts that "fewer rabbits is not good for everyone" because the rabbit is a good food source for birds of prey. I am delighted to see articles in Australian Landcare about rabbits and the various attempts to deal with what is well known as Australia's worst vertebrate pest. I would contend, however, that fewer rabbits is indeed good for everyone, given that populations of some birds of prey are very likely to have been maintained at artificially higher levels. The downward trend of those populations who have enjoyed the relative abundance of rabbits at the expense of the other biota may not necessarily be a bad thing. In the broader scheme of things, I would reinforce that we are all better off with fewer rabbits as the latter part of the article implies. The Anti Rabbit Research Foundation of Australia along with property managers in Australia quotes rabbit affected lands will be looking for continuing research effort to capitalise on the use of rabbit calicivirus and other emerging forms of broadscale control of this scourge on the Australian landscape. The Foundation is about to launch a national membership drive in the next few months and looks forward to increased support for rabbit research from land managers. Yours sincerely, Nicholas Newland Anti Rabbit Research Foundation of Australia =========================================================================== /`\ /`\ RABBIT INFORMATION SERVICE: _ _ (/\ \-/ /\) P.O.Box 30, Riverton, Western Australia 6148 (.\_/.) )6 6( http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm \6 6/ >{= Y =}< VEGETARIAN PAGE =\ /= /'-^-'\ http://www.geocities/RainForest/4620 /O\ / (_) (_) / \ ( | . | U U ) | |} Pity the human race its illusion of permanence (| |)/ \_/^\_/ w'-'w ===========================================================================
