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Rabbits: an introduced species: Fill the gaps

Name:

European rabbits came to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. They were brought as a fresh food supply for the people travelling on the ships.

Later, they were deliberately let go onto the land later so that people could ______________ them for sport. Rabbits soon spread to every part of Australia. As they spread, they ___________ grass, shrubs, bushes and the bark of trees. They destroyed the habitat and ate the food supply of native ____________ and birds.

Because the rabbits ate so much, the ___________ was never able to regrow, the roots died and no longer held the _____________ together. The soil was eroded by wind and water, and much farmland was ruined.

Hunting, poisoning and building fences are some of the ____________ in which people have tried to solve the rabbit problem. One way that was _____________ but which caused a __________ problem was the breeding and release into __________ the of thousands of cats which would, it was thought, ____________ the rabbits. However, the cats became feral and in their turn ___________ a threat to native animals.

Further research: Find out about other ways that people have tried to control rabbits.

If you use any of this information in your own work acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Rabbits: an introduced species (2000). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

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updated October 8, 2000