Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) were able to find the world's rarest type of rabbit thus considering themselves very lucky. The UK-based team scheduled an expedition to look for the elusive rabbit for three month, but they did not expect that they will be successful on the first night.
The Annamite striped rabbit was first recognized in 1999 when the journal Nature released a paper featuring the said animal. The journal entry was presented by rabbit expert Dr Diana Bell and her team from the School of Biological Sciences in UEA. The species of the Annamite Striped Rabbit settle in Vietnam and Laos, but after Bell's encouter, the rabbits have since become elusive.
Sarah Woodfin, a student from UEA is collaborating with WWF Vietnam to search and obtain further information about the rabbits and its habitat in the mountains of Annamite. She said that since there is very little data pertaining to the Annamite Striped rabbits, anything that she could discover may be considered as something new.
When the team first set out on their expedition, Woodfin did not expect to see any of the wild animals up close. Seeing an Annamite rabbit from afar would be a very lucky break, as she notes that the only photos available were shot through motion-sensitive cameras attached to traps. But when her team encountered one immediately, she was very surprised. The team found the rabbit hopping near the stream bank, eating vegetation. One of her colleagues was able to capture it and subsequently brought it to their camp site. The entire group was then given a chance to take a keen look at the rare specie and take closer photographs, before returning it to the forest. "I certainly never expected that I would have the opportunity to hold one of these magnificent animals. I was utterly delighted," Woodfin said.
Woodfin recalled that her first reaction was shock. Although she was able to recognize the rabbit immediately due to its distinct striped exterior, she found it hard it believe that her team was actually able to catch one. "The rabbit was very handsome, with dark stripes against a pale gold background and a red rump," she added. "We were able to take some measurements and photographs before we released it back into the forest.
Annamite Striped rabbits have very explicit genetic characteristics compared to other types of rabbits. Therefore, it is critically important for researchers to comprehend clearly how these animals thrive so that they can assess the preservation mechanisms surrounding the rabbits, particularly now that the species are facing possible extinction due to hunting and deforestation. "We need to implement appropriate measures," closed Woodfin.
Photo: University of East Anglia
