Wild rabbit populations face welfare challenges from myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease, and habitat loss; rabbits are also central prey species whose welfare intersects with predator conservation.
Wild rabbit welfare is complex because rabbits are simultaneously prey species whose suffering matters individually and population prey resources essential for many predator species. Myxomatosis welfare concern is substantial — the disease causes distressing progressive deterioration over nearly two weeks. Control of disease spread through wild rabbit populations is difficult, but reducing snare use and promoting humane trapping for management purposes addresses preventable welfare suffering within the population.