Wildlife Welfare

Wild Rabbit Disease and Welfare

Wild rabbit populations face major disease pressures from myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV2), causing severe welfare impacts.

Key Facts

Myxomatosis causes prolonged suffering with high mortality rates
RHDV2 emerged in 2010 and spread rapidly through European wild rabbit populations
Both diseases cause mass mortality events and population crashes
Rabbit decline has cascading effects on predators and plant communities
Vaccination of domestic rabbits protects individuals but not wild populations

Welfare Considerations

Mass mortality from myxomatosis and RHDV2 represents a major wild animal welfare concern. Individual wild rabbits often suffer prolonged, painful deaths. While control of wild disease is limited, reducing population stress through habitat management may improve resilience.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate pet rabbits against myxomatosis and RHDV2
Report sick wild rabbits to wildlife organisations
Support habitat management that maintains healthy rabbit populations
Learn about the ecological role of wild rabbits in UK ecosystems