Rabbits have long proven a problem for the Omaha Beach community, feasting on vulnerable native plants, and causing erosion by burrowing and digging. Starting at 10:00 p.m. tonight, Tuesday June 23, controlled culling will take place to reduce the damage caused by these furry little pests.

On Tuesday and Wednesday (June 23rd and 24th) this week and Tuesday (June 30th) next week, a team of four staff will be out from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. taking on the ground-based shooting operation. 

Staff will be undertaking the control on foot and wearing hi-viz vests. They will be using a combination of thermal imaging equipment and a red filtered spotlight to spot the rabbits. The firearms being used are suppressed .22 rifles. Rabbit carcasses will be retrieved each night. Only rabbits that can be safely shot will be targeted.

For those who are in the area who are concerned about pets, the quality of night vision gear and staff training is extremely high, so it is very unlikely a 'non target animal' would be hurt. 

Residents support the control of this pest: “Fantastic. They are a noxious pest destroying our ecosystem.”