Wildlife

Wild Rabbit Welfare and Myxomatosis Control

Welfare implications of myxomatosis in wild rabbits and the debate over control versus letting disease run its course.

Key Facts

Myxomatosis was introduced to Australia in 1950 and UK in 1953
The disease causes severe suffering including blindness and respiratory failure
Survival rates have increased as rabbit populations have developed partial resistance
Humane euthanasia of severely affected rabbits reduces individual suffering
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus also causes significant mortality in wild populations

Welfare Considerations

Myxomatosis causes prolonged and severe suffering in wild rabbits, and provision of humane euthanasia where possible is an important welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Contact the RSPCA or RSPB if you find severely ill wild rabbits
Support wildlife welfare organisations that provide field euthanasia
Learn to identify myxomatosis symptoms to assist early intervention