Government changes hunting calendar on São Miguel and continues to monitor the impact of VHD on wild rabbit populations
The increased abundance of wild rabbits on the island of São Miguel, as recorded in the results of the census conducted by Forest Services on this species, and the lack of apparent sign of VHD outbreaks determine the revaluation of the hunting calendar for the 2016/2017 season. The decision aims to increase hunting pressure on this species with the purpose of rebalancing its levels of abundance.
In this regard, the Government held today a meeting with the associations directly involved in the management of game species (hunters, farmers, environmental protection entities and forest producers). It approved a proposal to amend the Hunting Calendar that determines the extension of the wild rabbit hunting period for another four Sundays, until 8 January, through dog coursing.
Moreover, the Government published today the Ordinance no.109/2016 establishing December 1 and December 8 as the dates for the collection of samples in wild rabbits on Terceira and S. Miguel, respectively, following the programme for the monitoring of the impact of the new VHD type on populations.
This action, implemented by the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources, has the support of the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO-UP). It includes the collection of samples from recently slaughtered animals in order to evaluate the existence of an adaptive immune response of wild rabbits to the disease, through specific testing.
Similarly to the actions carried out in November 2015, the members of CIBIO-UP and Forest Service teams will be on the islands of Terceira, Graciosa and São Miguel to collect the samples. On these specific days, hunters are called to collaborate in this initiative through their registration and transfer of biological material of slaughtered rabbits.
The Ordinance no.109/2016 stipulates the days, hours, allowed hunting techniques, catch limits, requirements for hunters who wish to collaborate/participate in the collection of samples and the destination of rabbit specimens after the collection of samples. It may be consulted, along with information about the HVD, on the page of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources (http://drrf-srrn.azores.gov.pt/areas/cinegetica/Paginas/Introducao.aspx).