The president of the Provincial Council of Ciudad Real has announced in Tomelloso a new package of aid to address the overpopulation of rabbits that is devastating crops in the province. The measure aims to relieve farmers, whose harvests suffer constant damage due to the proliferation of these animals. It is expected that the resources will allow for more effective control actions to be implemented in the most affected areas.
Drones and smart fencing: technology to the rescue of the countryside 🚜
The aid includes the acquisition of perimeter fencing systems with motion sensors and the use of drones equipped with thermal cameras to locate burrows. It will also fund selective capture methods and the installation of feeders with specific oral contraceptives for rabbits. These tools, validated by studies from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, aim to reduce the population without harming other species or the ecosystem. The Provincial Council will coordinate their use with local cooperatives.
The hare doesn't run, it flies (but the rabbit stays) 🐇
While farmers dream of a harvest without nibbles, the rabbits are already organizing their own congress in Tomelloso to discuss how to dodge the drones. Some locals joke that the next aid will be a cooking course to promote local rabbit consumption instead of requesting more funds. The truth is, between contraceptives and thermal cameras, these rodents have never been so watched. Perhaps they should be asked to pay rent for the land.