The first results of myxomatosis can only be considered as provisional since they are reversible on the reappearance of the rabbit. Man is unlikely to let the situation develop without intervening himself. Many farmers make no secret of their intention to spread or bring back the infection. Hunters do their best to innoculates rabbits and to repopulate areas. One recent case has been recounted of a keeper instructed to destroy the rabbits which had reappeared in enclosed plantations. Using sacks, he carefully captured the rabbits alive in order to let them loose in another part of the forest. Wherever there are keepers, there will be a likelihood of the rabbit returning, since the keepers depend on the rabbit for their livelihood. On the other hand, the total disappearance of the rabbit from certain regions is too recent to permit of any report being made on its influence on the flora. A dozen years will be required for suppressed species to return. Enough is known, however, to be certain that this disease has raised problems of an economic importance, capable of having permanent repercussions on man’s use of the land. As an example, in Champagne Crayeuse certain estates, consisting of woods or moors, were bought at the end of the last century by townspeople for their hunting parties, with the rabbit as principle game. With the adoption of mechanization by farming after the second World War, the farmers began to buy back the woods to cultivate them. Assured of a good yield from the land, farmers are paying high prices to encourage the owners to abandon their hunting. Clearing operations have indeed been speeded up since the rabbits disappeared because hunting without them is pointless (M. Leroux). In other parts the disappearance of the rabbits encouraged many owners of poor forest or of hare land to plant trees, formerly a definite financial risk. The financial return will be more from the timber than from hunting fees. By planning for the afforestation work in such a way as to have groups of trees interspersed with groups of regeneration, it is possible to reconcile hunting and silviculture, thus earning a maximum return from the forest. An essential requirement for any such rational management is the prior elimination of the rabbit. These few examples clearly show the effect of changes caused by the disappearance of the rabbit and the implications of changes due to myxomatosis should its effects prove permanent.
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