New Zealand is planning to release a deadly virus in an effort to curb its out-of-control wild rabbit population. The virus, RHDV1 K5 (K5), is expected to be released at 100 sites in Otago, a region in the south of the country’s South island.
The virus will be unleashed in Otago in late March or April, as part of nation-wide effort aims to decrease the rabbit population by 40%, says The New Zealand Herald. Its effectiveness will then be studied prior to a planned nationwide roll-out.
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