The Welfare of Wild Rabbits in Managed Landscapes

Wild rabbits face welfare challenges from myxomatosis, RHDV, and agricultural pest management.

Key Facts

Myxomatosis was deliberately introduced to control rabbit populations in Europe in the 1950s
The disease causes swelling, blindness, and death over 1-2 weeks — significant welfare harm
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus causes rapid death — less prolonged suffering than myxomatosis
Rabbits are a keystone species supporting foxes, raptors, and many other predators

Welfare Considerations

Wild rabbit welfare is complicated by their dual status as an agricultural pest and an ecological keystone species. Myxomatosis — still circulating in European rabbit populations — causes weeks of suffering before death. It was introduced deliberately for pest control, creating a deliberate welfare trade-off that was never thoroughly examined at the time. Modern rabbit hemorrhagic disease is less prolonged but still causes mass mortality events. Agricultural pest control through rabbit removal, warren destruction, and shooting also causes significant individual welfare harm. The management of wild rabbit populations rarely incorporates welfare considerations.

What You Can Do

Support research into humane rabbit population management methods
Engage with the welfare dimension of myxomatosis as a deliberate pest control method
Appreciate the ecological importance of wild rabbits when encountering management discussions
Learn about wildlife rehabilitation for myxomatosis-affected wild rabbits in your area