Why an Easter Bilby?
The Easter Bunny has been an important part of Easter celebrations all over the world, but Australians have often questioned its suitability for our nation. In Australia feral rabbits are a major environmental problem and in most states it is illegal to own a rabbit. The reason for the rabbit being a pest goes back to the settlers who brought it over from the Northern hemisphere. Many were released into the wild so that they would breed and then provide food on the dry plains. Unfortunately, no one realised how well the rabbit would breed and adapt to the harsh climate. The huge rabbit population competes against the native fauna for food and so threatens their existence. It also has devastating effects when they feed on our native flora. The Australian government has gone to major lengths such as the huge Rabbit Proof Fence along the Northern Territory’s border to try and control the rabbit population. Things such as bringing in an assortment of viruses and also culling, have been tri
