Lesson 171: 澳大利亚欧洲兔子灾难

In the early days of the settlement of Australia, enterprising settlers unwisely introduced the European rabbit, a decision that would have far-reaching consequences for the continent. The rabbit, having no natural enemies in the Antipodes, began to multiply at an alarming rate, displaying the promiscuous abandon characteristic of rabbits. As a result of this unchecked breeding, the rabbit population quickly overran the entire continent, causing devastation in its wake. The rabbits burrowed into the ground, causing damage to infrastructure and disrupting ecosystems. They also voraciously devoured the herbage that could have sustained millions of sheep and cattle, leading to food shortages and economic losses for farmers. The introduction of the European rabbit to Australia serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of introducing non-native species to new environments. The settlers' well-intentioned but misguided actions had unforeseen and disastrous consequences, highlighting the importance of carefully considering the potential impacts of introducing foreign species before taking action. This lesson from history serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the need for responsible stewardship of the environment.