Wildlife

Wild Rabbit Welfare and Habitat Loss

Wild rabbits face growing threats from habitat destruction, disease, and hunting, with populations declining across much of their native range.

Key Facts

European rabbit populations have declined by over 60% in parts of their range since the 1950s
Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease have caused massive die-offs
Rabbits are keystone species whose burrow systems support dozens of other species
Intensive agriculture has destroyed hedgerow and scrub habitats essential to rabbits

Welfare Considerations

Individual wild rabbits suffer acutely from myxomatosis, which causes severe swelling, blindness, and a slow death over weeks. Disease management, habitat restoration, and limiting unnecessary persecution can all reduce wild rabbit suffering significantly.

What You Can Do

Support habitat restoration projects that benefit rabbits and other wildlife
Advocate against snaring which causes prolonged suffering
Report sick or injured wild rabbits to wildlife rehabilitators
Plant native scrub vegetation to create rabbit-friendly habitat edges
Support research into humane disease management approaches