Wild European rabbits live in complex social colonies whose welfare is shaped by predation, disease, competition, and the availability of suitable burrowing habitat.
Wild rabbit welfare is complex because the species operates as both predator of vegetation and prey of many other animals. Disease represents the most acute welfare challenge — myxomatosis causes prolonged, severe suffering over 1-2 weeks as a blind, swollen animal cannot find food or shelter and is highly vulnerable to predation. RHD kills more rapidly but is equally welfare-significant at the population level. Supporting rabbit habitat and disease monitoring helps maintain healthier populations with better individual welfare outcomes.