BUNNIES post-Easter have a new role - in research

Feral animal research scientists are on the hunt for livers from rabbits that have died from natural outbreaks of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, or calicivirus.

The RHD Boost project team is working with Biosecurity SA to map changes in resistance in the original strain released in 1996.

NSW Department of Primary Industries research scientist Dr Tarnya Cox said the livers would provide vital information.

"We are asking people who find dead, but otherwise healthy-looking rabbits, to freeze their find and contact us so we can arrange collection," Dr Cox said.

"Once we identify the RHD strains, we can explore the use of new strains which are likely to be effective against the genetic resistance rabbits have developed."

Researchers need portions of rabbit liver, no smaller than 2cm square, which can be frozen in a plastic bag or container

Scientists from NSW DPI and CSIRO are testing new strains of the virus which have been effective overseas.

The project is being run through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre in Canberra.