Wildlife

Wild Rabbit Welfare and Myxomatosis

Wild rabbit populations in Europe still suffer from myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease, causing mass mortality events.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

Myxomatosis causes one of the most prolonged and visible forms of suffering in wild animals: swelling, blindness, and respiratory distress over 1-2 weeks. Sick rabbits remain visible and vulnerable to predation. The deliberate introduction as pest control caused enormous wildlife suffering that continues as an endemic disease.

What You Can Do