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Study looks at how domestic rabbits become feral
“We hope that this study will help lawmakers understand the importance of preventing domestic animals from being released into the wild" - Leif Andersson.
Researchers found mix of domestic and feral DNA in introduced rabbits.

A new study has uncovered the genetic changes that help domestic rabbits re-adapt to living back in the wild.

The researchers, who looked at the DNA of almost 300 rabbits from three continents, found that many of the characteristics which have been bred into rabbits as part of their domestication are lost through natural selection in feral populations.

Genomes of 297 Europeans rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from Europe, South American and Oceania were sequenced by scientists from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), USA, in collaboration with the Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Portugal.

To their surprise, the researchers found that the rabbits from introduced populations had a mix of feral and domestic DNA.

Leif Andersson, a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, said: “This was not what we had expected to find — we expected that feral rabbits were domestic rabbits that have somehow relearned how to live in the wild.

“But our findings show us that these rabbits already had a portion of wild DNA helping them survive in nature.”

The genetic changes in feral rabbit populations not only included genes that influence things such as coat colour, but also genes that affect elements of behaviour such as tameness.

Rabbits have been introduced by humans around the world, sometimes with a significant impact on local environments and ecosystems. The researchers are hopeful that the study will offer insights for those looking at other feral populations.

Dr Andersson added: “We hope that this study will help lawmakers understand the importance of preventing domestic animals from being released into the wild.

“This project has helped us understand not only how rabbits become feral but also how other species like pigs and cats can become feral nuisances.”

The study has been published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."