Large numbers of rabbits were photographed by the Otago Daily Times in a paddock just south of Waihola last week.
Late last year, the council said it was aware of a rabbit issue in the area. It was working with landowners and provided information showing an increase in compliant properties in the area.
Yesterday, environmental implementation manager Libby Caldwell reiterated the council was aware of rabbit "hot spots" in Waihola.
While it was the land occupier’s responsibility to control rabbit numbers, the council was working with them and letting them know their obligations under Otago’s regional pest management plan, she said.
"ORC staff are currently undertaking biosecurity inspections in the Waihola area and this work is planned over the next few weeks where we will have more data around compliance rates", Mrs Caldwell said.
After the inspections, the council would host a meeting to support land occupiers to come together and provide an opportunity for them to co-ordinate their rabbit management efforts this coming season.
The council promoted effective rabbit management techniques, which included the use of poison such as pindone carrots and pellets and 1080, Mrs Caldwell said.
"The intention with poison is to have an initial knock-down in the population numbers.
"We encourage land occupiers to prepare a rabbit management plan and as part of this an occupier could utilise poison."
Other rabbit management options included rabbit fencing, night shooting, fumigation and habitat modification, Mrs Caldwell said.
In 2022, council-led inspections found 35% of property owners were compliant with the rules of the regional pest management plan.
Last year, 72% of the properties originally inspected were compliant.
