Rounding up rabbits that are damaging the Lower Manorburn Dam Recreational Reserve has failed to curb high populations and the Central Otago District Council (CODC) say poison use, while unpopular with dog owners, must go ahead.

The CODC was told last week by pest overseer the Otago Regional Council that it must act on the infestation which has now reached unacceptable levels.

Members of a working group for the area, however, requested methods other than poisoning be used for fear that pets would become ill after ingesting rabbit meat from affected carcasses.

In a statement sent to the Central App, group representative Nigel Murray referred to council’s methods as “unacceptable”.  

Suggested alternatives had been ignored and the group’s views disregarded by council, he said.

Views on the risks presented by Pindone vary but council and an independent pest controller claim they are low and manageable.

CODC parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said council had “encountered some opposition” to using Pindone last year and tried an alternative control method that consisted of herding the rabbits. 

“However, given the rocky nature of most of the reserve, this was not overly successful and only about 60 were killed.”

Gordon said shooting is another option but is only about 30 per cent effective on its own and given the terrain around the reserve could be even less effective.

“Baiting is 80 to 90 per cent effective, particularly as the boundary fence has been repaired, therefore council is expecting a better result.”

From Monday (August 15), if the weather is favourable, carrot bait laced with Pindone will begin to be laid. 

The operation will conclude about eight weeks from the start date, Gordon said.

According to pest control guidelines, Pindone is the bait of choice because it causes the least suffering, has a reduced danger to domestic pets, and is a suitable means of controlling rabbits in the rugged areas found within the reserve.

Gordon said Pindone carrot is used in winter, as this is when food sources are most scarce and fewer young rabbits are present.

“The carrots will be dyed green so members of the public can easily identify and avoid them. The bait will be laid by hand and quad bike by a contractor.”

Warning signs would be erected to ensure visitors knew of the operation.

In an information sheet on Pindone, pest controller Peter Preston says his company had used Pindone for more than 10 years with minimal issues with domestic animals or farm stock. 

“It would take the consumption of multiple entire rabbit carcasses to affect a dog and in practice this doesn’t happen,” he said.

Cases have occurred, however, which underlined the need for people to be aware of dogs’ activities if they had access to areas where bait is laid.

Keeping dogs on leads and monitoring their activity was important.

Gordon says council was aware that users of the reserve “may be inconvenienced” for the control period, but the benefits of having fewer rabbits would allow future native plantings to become established.