The rabbit problem in south Iceland is growing, as more damage is being done to farms than farmers are able to repair.
As reported, the wild rabbits are descendants of domestic rabbits released into the wild by unknown parties. Since then, they have continued to multiply, heading from the capital area into south Iceland.
The rabbits are mostly concentrated around Selfoss now, with their population extending southerly, to the coast. Numerous complaints have been registered from residents because of the rabbits, to such where the Ministry for the Environment has agreed to allow people living in the area to reduce the rabbit population through their own means.
Vísir now reports that the rabbits are continuing to multiply further and are doing increasing damage to south Iceland farms.
Rabbits appear to be particularly fond of the large plastic-covered rolls of hay that farmers store for feeding livestock. Rabbits have gnawed their way into some of these rolls, burrowing inside, eating the hay as well as depositing their waste within. The damage is felt by area farmers; each roll costs about 12,000 ISK.
Farmers have tried leaving traps for the rabbits, but as one farmer to Vísir, “It’s like they can see the traps”, as few if any rabbits have been caught. If the situation continues on its trend, many fear, a rabbit plague could soon descend upon these south Iceland farms.
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