low her to access the RHD bait testing protocols she believes are faulty. There is no ongoing monitoring of native animals or humans in Australia for possible illness due to infection by RHD. Previous data accessed under FOI legislation showed higher incidences of illness in humans who were highly exposed to RHD than in people with low exposure to the
disease.

Birds of Prey-Update
WA Conservation of Raptors says as count of birds Australia wide by Birds Australia finalised in March 2000 has indicated Wedge-tailed eagle numbers have declined by 30-40% since the last count 5 years ago . In significant breeding areas such as the Strzelecki Ranges in South Australia, authorities found there were no pairs of wedge-tailed eagles breeding for the three years to 1998. (Wedge-tailed eagles had apparently ceased to breed due to a decline in rabbit numbers). Recent accounts (November 2000) by truck drivers and motorists have reported four to five wedge-tails eagles a day being killed on Eyre highway as they try to feed off road kills. In an average year, wedge-tailed eagles will only raise one chick every two years. When prey is abundant, a breeding pair may raise one or two young per year but prey is no longer abundant. In Western Australia, some farmers are complaining of an increase in the numbers of wedge-tailed eagles taking early lambs. They have been threatening to try and obtain licenses to kill the eagles. One farmer told Mr Stuart Payne of WA Conservation of Raptors he had lost 40% of early lambs to wedge-tailed eagles. Mr Payne said this was obviously due to prey switching and advised the farmer to lamb later. At least 11 unique species of birds of prey may be affected by a decline in rabbit numbers according to the RAOU when they were advertising the start of their bird count in 1996.

For more information: http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit
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