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Wild rabbits might appear to be a serene part of the countryside, but across Spain they’re becoming a serious problem. From devouring crops to damaging paths and roads with their burrows, these fluffy invaders are causing millions of euros in agricultural damage each year.

 

Some regions are feeling the impact more than others and local governments are scrambling to find effective solutions before things spiral even further out of control.

 

In Aragon, where the scale of the issue is especially severe, the regional government is taking a novel approach: working with a British pest control company to test new technology on 400 hectares of dryland. This is part of a strategy to get rabbit numbers under control, particularly in the 130 municipalities where more than 50,000 hectares have already been affected.

 

It will happen alongside some traditional prevention methods, such as the removal of excess vegetation so that more rabbit hunting can take place.

 

On the more experimental side, Aragon is collaborating with Agroseguros and a UK-based company that specialises in pest control.

 

“There is no company in Spain dedicated to this. We will do this on 400 hectares of dryland to evaluate the technology and methodology, and to be able to work along these lines in the future,” Aragon’s Environment Councillor Manuel Blasco explained.

 

Efforts to address the problem also extend to railway lines. ADIF has introduced linear trapping systems and has already removed rabbits from some areas.

 

“Work has also been carried out in collaboration with farmers to plant crops less palatable to rabbits near the railway tracks, and the tilting trap door will also be tested”, according to Mr Blasco

 

In addition, the Directorate General for the Environment, Hunting and Fishing is currently working on the approval of traps designed for live rabbit capture.

 

Mr Blasco underlined the regional government's commitment to supporting the agricultural community.

“The policy in this regard is clear and active,” he said. "It will probably have to be increased because the rabbits are not staying put, and therefore, the problem will eventually spread.”

 

A dedicated committee has also begun to develop collaboration forums and a compensation system for affected landowners.

 

“It's not an easy problem, but it's our obligation. It's a complex issue. We have to balance biodiversity conservation, organised hunting and the protection of the interests of farmers and ranchers,” the councillor concluded.

 

 

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