Wild rabbits in the UK face severe population pressure from myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, with welfare implications for millions of animals annually.
Myxomatosis causes particularly distressing symptoms including severe facial swelling, blindness, and secondary infections over a period of 10-14 days. Affected wild rabbits are unable to flee predators and often die slowly from complications. Injured or diseased wild rabbits found by members of the public present a difficult welfare dilemma, as release is counterproductive and euthanasia by laypersons is illegal.