A large-scale assessment of European rabbit damage to agricultura in Spain

Negative impacts of wildlife on humans or their resources have occurred throughout prehistory and recorded history. Consequences of human− wildlife conflict can be both direct, including disease, injury and death from encounters with dangerous animals, and indirect, such as loss of crops and livestock and damaged infrastructure. Measures for preventing or reducing human− wildlife conflict are increasingly being developed.1 Successful conflict resolution plans are often the result of the assimilation of proven methods of control or deterrence and their clear adaptation to the nature of the problem at hand.2 The latter requires an accurate assessment of the human− wildlife conflict situation investigated, and a clear understanding of the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and social acceptability of the methods to be applied. Although human−animal conflict involving large mammals is often highlighted in the media, human livelihoods are arguably much more impacted by small and medium-sized mammals. These species often cause substantial damage to pastures as well as ground and tree crops through grazing or browsing. For example, outbreaks of rodents in apple-growing areas in Germany can cause up to €25 million per year of damage.4 Close by large numbers of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can weaken or kill even persistent leafy crops, and scratching and burrowing can degrade pasture still further by encouraging the establishment of weed