Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis) is said to be one of the world’s rarest and most endangered mammal. The rare species of rabbit has been classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN red list of threatened species since 2003. Making it South Africa’s most endangered wildlife species.
It is endemic to South Africa and can only be found in central and southern regions of the Karoo Desert of South Africa’s Cape Province. The Riverine Rabbit lives in dense riverine scrub in a specialised zone between the land and a river, known as the riparian. This is an ideal area for the rabbits to build stable burrows.
‘The species decline is down the loss of their natural habitat‘
There are approximately less then a few hundred breeding pairs left and their numbers are still declining. The species decline is down to the loss of their natural habitat. These endangered rabbits are limited to the alluvial flood plains of the seasonal rivers in the central Karoo. However, the soil is very good for cultivation and over the years more then two-thirds of its habitat has been lost to agriculture. Overgrazing decreases the availability of natural shelter for the rabbits to hide from predators this making them easy targets. Hunting and being an unfortunate by-catch also threatened the survival of the species.
‘The Riverine rabbit is an important species for monitoring the health of the ecosystem‘
Unlike other rabbits the Riverine rabbit has a slow breeding rate, with a female only giving birth to one or two offspring throughout the course of an entire year. The rabbits also have a life expectancy in the wild of 3 years old, occasionally 4 years old. Their slow reproductive rate and short lifespan holds no advantage to their declining population.
The Riverine rabbit is an important species for monitoring the health of the ecosystem. It’s role within the ecosystem is to help maintain soil integrity and prevent soil erosion. The vegetation it feeds on is known to bind soil and regenerates as the rabbit grazes it. The Riverine rabbit’s feeding behaviour indirectly prevents soil erosion during floods
The only way to secure the long term survival of the Riverine Rabbit is to protect its natural habitat. Encouraging farmers to protect their natural habitat will conserve the species and save them from extinction. Removing the threats they face will allow the species time to slowly recover. Their life history restricts their recovery and the fate of the species comes down to the protection of their natural habitat.
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Resources
- Chapman, , Flux. 1990. Rabbits, Hares and Pikas – Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC.
- Collins, K., Bragg, C. & Birss, C. 2019. Bunolagus monticularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T3326A45176532. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T3326A45176532.en. Downloaded on 20 August 2020.
- Nowak, R. 1997. “Bushman Rabbit” (On-line). Accessed Nov.18, 2001 at http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/walkers_mammals_of_the_world/lagomorpha/lagomorpha.leporidae.bunolagus.html.
