GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Widespread deaths in rabbits and wild hares in the Western Cape since the first week of November have caused concern. In the Southern Cape and surrounds, incidents have been reported from Oudtshoorn and Beaufort West.
More reports came from Durbanville near Cape Town. This follows after the first reports of deaths in hares at the end of October, from Sutherland and Middelpos areas in the Northern Cape.
Samples have been sent for analysis and Western Cape Agriculture's Veterinary Services are awaiting the results, but it appears that the deaths are caused by a highly contagious disease to which South African rabbits and hares have no immunity.
So far, affected species include the domestic rabbit, Cape hare, scrub hare and red rock rabbit. CapeNature CEO Dr Razeena Omar fears the impact on endangered species.
"There is concern among conservationists that the disease might also affect populations of the riverine rabbit, which is already on the brink of extinction. This species only occurs at a few locations in the Nama Karoo and the Little Karoo and is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting and vehicle collisions," she says.
CapeNature and the Endangered Wildlife Trust are working together with state veterinarians to monitor the spread of the disease. Members of the public are requested to assist by reporting any unusual deaths of domestic rabbits to their local state veterinarian. The George State Veterinary Office is located in Varing Street, George.
The state veterinarian together with one control animal health technician and five animal health technicians (AHT) are responsible for the magisterial districts of George, Riversdale, Mossel Bay, Uniondale and Knysna.
Contact Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg by sending an email to Leana.JanseVanRensburg@westerncape.gov.za.
Important steps to take
If wild rabbits or hares are found dead in the veld, the GPS coordinates, name of the farm and photographs of the animals can be sent to bonnies@ewt.org.za or mdevilliers@capenature.co.za.
The carcasses should only be touched with gloves and if one wants to reuse the gloves, they must be soaked in bleach (200ml bleach per litre of water) for at least 10 minutes.
Carcasses of wild hares and rabbits should be buried at least 1,5m deep, and at least 100m from marshes, dams and waterways.
Rabbit owners are urged to practise strict biosecurity and not to introduce any new rabbits, touch any other rabbits or allow visits from rabbit owners until there is more information on the disease.
Any direct or indirect contact with wild rabbits and hares should be prevented and any second-hand equipment should be cleaned and wiped with bleach solution, which should be left to dry for at least 10 minutes before being rinsed off.
Read more: Disease causing mass rabbit deaths in Northern, Western Cape identified
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