The query about rabbit population control in post-WWII France references a significant event where myxomatosis virus was introduced to manage an overpopulation. In 1952, Paul-Felix Armand-Delille injected rabbits on his estate with the virus, leading to a rapid decline of up to 95% in the rabbit population across France within two years. Australia had attempted a similar method in 1950, experiencing as much as a 99% reduction in its rabbit population due to the disease, which was initially introduced to control non-native rabbits threatening agriculture.
While the story about rabbits being exported to France isn’t supported, the massive die-off of rabbits in France due to myxomatosis in the 1950s is true.
In 1952, physician Paul-Felix Armand-Delille introduced the myxomatosis virus to control the rabbit population on his estate, resulting in a 95% die-off.
Australia attempted a similar strategy with the myxomatosis virus in 1950, leading to about 99% deaths in their non-native rabbit population.
The introduction of myxomatosis, while initially aiming to control rabbit populations, created significant ecological consequences in both France and Australia.
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