Photo - off topic - Rabbit proof fence

[Rex in Australia]

Hi, you may or may not have heard that Australia built some rabbit proof fences over many years due to the plagues of rabbits early in the 19th century. The fences were built over a number of years and extended for many thousands of miles. Some are still maintained, here is a couple of photos of it.
Cheers,
Rex

 

[Anonymous-0]

This rabbitt fence rates right up with Michigans Turtle fence they built on U.S 31 hiway by Muskegon Mich for 300 + thousand dollars. It keeps turtles from crossing the road. Been traveling this road for over 50 years and have never seen a dead turtle. And have never talked to anyone who has. Another waste of taxpayer money.

 

[noncompos]

Haven't seen much here on your rabbit problem, in the general press; I assume there's lots on the net.
Am more or less familiar with the rabbit plague(s?) of years past from earlier reading; I'd just assumed the fences were still in place and maintained, but from your comments apparently only in places.
Last I recall here (US) were stories several years back that some experimental viruses (virii?) had "escaped" from a lab on an offshore island and were rampant thru the rabbits, threatening to wipe them out, but the story just faded out after awhile.
Several of the states here used to have rabbit drives, but with the possible exception of some local areas, we never had the problem you did down there, altho I'm open to correction.
Enjoyed the pix...many thxx!

 

[2x4]

watched a documentary of it on the Discovery Channel, I think made by National Geographic. very interesting about the lenght of it. Something like 2000 miles?

 

[Anonymous-0]

I like the barbed wire on top of the posts..that should help keep the rabbits in.

 

[Rex in Australia]

The barbed wire may not do much for rabbits, but it helps from other large animals breaking it down.
Yes, many miles, much more than the 2000 mentioned.
Calisi (probably miss spelt) virus was the last one, did a lot of good, but unfortunately some survived and are breeding up again. Similar in New Zealand.
These fences were necessary, still are in some places. I have seen video footage of the plague - it looked like the ground was moving, there were so many rabbits.
Rex

 

[John S-B]

I didn't know rabbits could read the sign.

 

[Nancy Howell]

I had read that Australia had a serious rabbit problem. The fence looks rabbit-proof, but not the gate. Too much gap.

 

[GA Dave]

I've seen programs about the roundups. By the time they chased them to the fence the rabbits were trapped and THUD! Also saw a movie I think was named "Rabbit Proof Fence" on the Independent Film Channel about three aboriginal girls escaped from ? and followed a rabbit fence back home. David.....