South Africa:
Riverine Rabbit Conservation Project

The Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis; photo: van Dyk) is with a population of perhaps only as few as 500 individuals the most endangered mammal of South Africa. The name of the rabbit which occurs only in the Karoo region in the centre of the country originates from its British discoverer. The Karoo is, as a semi-desert biome, only sparely covered with vegetation. Only along seasonal water-bearing rivers the vegetation can be found which is so important for the survival of the Riverine Rabbit. Grass and shrubs are providing food resources as well as protection against predators and high solar radiation. Due to mineral-rich soft alluvial soil of the near-river areas the species is capable to build dens to raise its young - a behavioural pattern that among the South African rabbits and hares is only displayed by the Riverine Rabbit. Due to its adaptation to this special and species-rich habitat the Riverine Rabbit acts as a bioindicator for the state of the habitats.

The overgrown shore areas also have a high economic value for farmers who run extensive mixed farming there. The overexploitation of the riverine soils due to agricultural use and a high grazing pressure by sheep leads to soil compaction and a decrease of the botanical diversity. The desert expands and at the same time the habitat of the Riverine Rabbit shrinks.

In 1989 ,ZGAP initiated the Riverine Rabbit Conservation Project: During first studies in the wild the remaining habitats and populations were identified. The local farmers have been involved from the very beginning - especially because the affected river regions mainly go through private farmland. In the National Riverine Rabbit Co-Ordinating Committee (NRRCC), a consortium of representatives of different South African organisations, conservation actions have been worked out, the biology of the Riverine Rabbit has been investigated and farms with remaining habitats have been declared as Riverine Rabbit Conservancies. The latter provide protection of the few remaining natural habitats of the Riverine Rabbit.

With the support of ZGAP so far population surveys, monitoring and public relation measures could be realised. Many farms have been declared as Riverine Rabbit Conservancies in which the hunting with dogs as well as the collecting of fire wood is forbidden. Recent results are the detection of so far undiscovered populations, the acquiring of sponsors and the genetic analysis of the populations. In 2003, the Riverine Rabbit Working Group (RRWG) for the protection of the Riverine Rabbit was founded by the Endagered Wildlife Trust: The Group established eco-schools which include conservation topics in the lessons and work on school grounds that are ecologically valuable. Furthermore, the RRWG effected the extension of the conservation area of the Riverine Rabbit from 200.000 hectare up to 300.000 hectare.

Further an upgrade of the project is planned in future:
- regular field surveys and counting,
- connection of the habitats via secured corridors,
- further education of the farmers and farm workers to reduce the direct threat to the population by humans down to a minimum.

Further information can be found on the homepage of the Riverine Rabbit Conservation Project and the project webpage of the Riverine Rabbit Working Group (RRWG) by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.