Riparian Brush Rabbits

Conservation Challenges

About 90% of the places Riparian Brush rabbits live have been destroyed due to the growth of cities and farms, flood control, and dams. These rabbits are also being decimated by the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2), a European-borne virus that has spread rampantly to many species of wild rabbit populations across the United States and Mexico. Though the virus only attacks rabbits, it can be easily spread by birds, insects, or scavenging animals and is persistent in being infectious up to 3 months. Once contracted, the onset of symptoms (quickly followed by mortality) occurs within 3-9 days. RHDV2 has created a lagomorph crisis across the globe. In May of 2020, the first RHDV2 case was detected in Riverside, California, threatening the Riparian Brush rabbit.

Oakland Zoo is Taking Action for the Riparian Brush Rabbit

Preventative Vaccinations

Oakland Zoo is vaccinating wild rabbits to aid in their resistance to the deadly RHD virus, increasing their chance of survival when reintroduced into the wild. Wild-captured rabbits are brought to Oakland Zoo’s veterinary hospital where they undergo thorough physical exams and RHDV2 vaccinations. Afterwards, they are closely monitored by Zoo veterinarians and staff to ensure that the vaccination has no adverse effects. Tiny video cameras are also used to watch the rabbits via computer, offering the least amount of intrusiveness on these wild animals.

Following the monitoring period, and once the project is deemed a success, the Riparian Brush rabbits are returned to the wild at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge in Modesto. Oakland Zoo helps administer vaccinations to additional rabbits in the wild to protect them, too, from the deadly virus.

Prior to this conservation effort, the RHDV2 vaccine had only been used on domestic rabbits — these rabbits serve as a safety trial for the use of the RHDV2 vaccine in the field on wild populations.

Insurance Population

Oakland Zoo is working with State and Federal agencies to foster an insurance population, ensuring that this species will not go extinct if the wild population is decimated.

Taking Action for Riparian Brush Rabbits: You Can Too!

• PARENT your pet rabbits properly by spaying/neutering and vaccinating, and keep your rabbit safe and secure. Domestic pets are the #1 source of this virus spread into wild rabbits.
• RESEARCH If you want a rabbit as a pet to ensure they are the right pet for your family, and only work with reputable rabbit rescues such as the ASPCA, House Rabbit Society, or other independent rescue centers.
• AVOID using pesticides in and around your garden.
• LEAVE NO TRACE at your the local watersheds - keep them clean and thriving and participate in waterway clean-ups.