Rare Enderby Island Rabbit Stolen from Canterbury Wildlife Reserve

A rare Enderby Island rabbit is among several animals suspected to have been stolen from Canterbury’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, dealing a major setback to a vital conservation effort. Reported by 1News 

The reserve said its “primary concern” was the welfare and safe return of the rabbits, which play a crucial role in a rare breeds breeding programme.

The missing male rabbit was due to mate with two females of the same endangered species, making the theft a “serious blow” to the project.

The Enderby Island rabbit is a distinctive breed that evolved in isolation for more than a century after being introduced to New Zealand’s remote southern Enderby Island.

In 1992, Willowbank founder Michael Willis led an expedition to rescue the surviving population before the island’s ecosystem restoration began.

Since then, Willowbank, in collaboration with the NZ Rare Breeds Conservation Society, has worked to rebuild the population of these critically endangered rabbits. However, their numbers have declined in recent years.

The reserve has appealed for the animals’ safe return and promised complete anonymity to anyone who can help.

“Our focus is on the welfare of these rabbits and the continuation of our conservation work,” a spokesperson said.

Police are assisting with the investigation.