Calgary’s feral rabbits threatened by disease

A viral disease that experts describe as highly contagious and incredibly lethal is threatening Calgary’s population of feral rabbits.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease attacks the liver and the lining of blood vessels in the animal’s body. It acts quickly in rabbits, potentially killing them in a matter of days.

Jennifer Davies, veterinary pathologist at the University of Calgary, says there’s still more to learn about the disease.

Wild rabbits in Calgary. (CityNews photo)

Wild rabbits in Calgary. (CityNews photo)

“What we have been seeing is mass die offs reported in Calgary city limits of our feral domestic rabbit population,” Davies said. “We have not confirmed the virus in our native rabbit or hare species yet.”

While there are concerns for the feral rabbit population, Davies says other species aren’t at risk.

“This disease does not spread to people, nor is it spreading to our livestock or our other companion animals such as dogs and cats,” she explained.

Davies points out the disease is relatively new to Canada, though Lethbridge and Edmonton reported outbreaks in 2021.

Gizelle Becker, founder of Wild Rose Rabbit Rescue, recommends bunny owners steer clear of areas with several feral rabbits.

“We’ve been avoiding any sort of areas with feral rabbits. So you know … Seton, Manchester, the Lindsay Park area,” Becker said.

Davies adds rabbit hemorrhagic disease will likely be brief but devastating to Calgary’s rabbit population.

“The rabbit population is naïve to this virus, so they don’t have natural immunity. And the virus is highly contagious and highly deadly,” Davies said.