Riverine Rabbit Conservation Project A riverine rabbit

New distribution area discovered

There is much jubilation in conservation circles as the waning riverine rabbit population has been given a boost by sightings of this mammal in the Touwsriver District. This is quite remarkable as this is several hundred kilometres away from its known distribution.

The normal distribution of this rabbit is the Central Karoo area including towns like Sutherland, Fraserburg and Victoria West. There have been approximately 10 individual sightings on the Bijstein Nature Reserve in the Touwsriver district. This is very significant for conservation as this means there is now a whole new area to discover and a new distribution to the existing small and threatened habitat.

Genetic material has been collected and DNA samples have been sent to the University of Stellenbosch for analysis that will determine if the population has occurred there naturally or whether they have been brought in from another area and are part of another population.

Cape Nature Conservation would like to thank the owner of Bijstein Private Nature Reserve, Mr Hans Struik, for his sterling contribution in the discovery of this rabbit. We would like to appeal to all landowners in this area to notify us should they sight any rabbits.

Background info:

This lesser known mammal occurs only in shrublands on alluvial soils along seasonal rivers in the Central Karoo. Without formal protection of its natural habitat and with rapidly declining numbers, the riverine rabbit is in danger of extinction.

The main cause for the dwindling numbers - estimated between 500 and 600 world wide - over the years have been the following:

  • Habitat degradation: this is due to overstocking of sheep, bush encroachment, land cultivation, erosion and alien invaders.
  • Predators: the jackal, lynx and black eagle are among its natural predators.
  • Catastrophic events: these include floods, fire, climate change and disease
  • Capacity: lack of landowner collaboration, inappropriate land use and insufficient awareness programmes.

    The Riverine Rabbit working group, under the auspices of Endangered Wildlife Trust, was recently established to actively promote and facilitate the conservation of the riverine rabbit through a co-operative and inclusive process. This group comprises of Cape Nature Conservation WWF-SA a sponsoring agent, Northern Cape Conservation Services, the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations, Agriculture, landowners, academic institutions, various national departments and other interested parties.

    Work done till now:

  • With the regular censussing of riverine rabbit populations, a more accurate number was obtained.
  • Because this rabbit occurs only on private land, a good relationship with the landowner is vital to its survival. The forming of conservancies where private land is managed according to riverine rabbit - friendly conservation principles is the lifeline of this animal.
  • An extensive awareness programme helps to raise the profile of the rabbit through posters, stickers and brochures.

    A captive breeding programme has been attempted but without success.

    For more information contact:
    Anita Wheeler, Cape Nature Conservation
    Tel: (044) 279 1739
    Cell: 072 651 8966

    Dr. Victoria Ahlmann - Riverine Rabbit Working group: Chair