CapeNature has raised the alarm after unusual numbers of wild hares and rabbits have been dying in the Western Cape since the first week of November.
According to the conservation organisation, the cause of death is believed to be a highly contagious disease, to which South African hares and rabbits have no immunity.
Samples have been sent for analysis, and the Western Cape Agriculture’s Veterinary Services is awaiting the results.
Incidents have been recorded as far afield as Beaufort West, Oudtshoorn and Durbanville.
So far, affected species include the Cape hare, scrub hare, red rock rabbit and the domestic rabbit.
This follows reports of hare deaths in the Middelpos and Sutherland areas of the Northern Cape that arose at the end of October.
CapeNature CEO, Dr Razeena Omar, fears the impact of this disease on endangered species.
“There is concern amongst conservationists that the disease might also affect populations of the riverine rabbit, which is already on the brink of extinction. This species only occurs at a few locations in the Nama Karoo and the Little Karoo and is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting, and vehicle collisions,” says Omar.
CapeNature and the Endangered Wildlife Trust are working together with state veterinarians to monitor the spread of the disease.
Members of the public are requested to assist by reporting any unusual deaths of domestic rabbits to their local state veterinarian.
Farm owners and visitors are urged to report the deaths of wild rabbits or hares. Please report the GPS coordinates, name of the farm and photographs of the animal to [email protected] or [email protected].
Any direct or indirect contact with hares and rabbits, dead or alive, should be prevented, and any second-hand equipment should be cleaned and wiped with a bleach solution, which should be left to dry for at least ten minutes before being rinsed off.
Carcasses should be buried at least 1.5 metres deep, and at least 100 metres from marshes, dams and waterways.
State Veterinary contact details can be found HERE.
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