International Rabbit Day
International Rabbit Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September every year, falling on September 23 this year. Although we would love to celebrate bunnies every day, this day is especially observed to promote the care and protection of domestic and wild rabbits. The Rabbit Charity in the U.K. founded International Rabbit Day in 1998. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that rabbits that have been left unprotected or abandoned, find care and permanent shelters. Rabbits are prone to viral diseases and can become easy prey for a lot of animals. This day reminds us that there is more we can do for them.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RABBIT DAY
Rabbits belong to the Leporidae family and their fossil records date back to 40 million years ago. Out of the 28 different species, the European rabbit is the most well-known. The species was initially found in the Iberian Peninsula and northwestern Africa and then showed up in western Europe about 2,000 years ago.
During the early 1950s, a viral disease called myxomatosis proved to be lethal to European rabbits and the initial wave wiped out 99% of the population in Australia. The remaining rabbits were able to develop immunity by the time the subsequent waves came.
In recent years, the rabbit population has been declining and this has resulted in a larger impact on our natural ecosystems as rabbits are a vital prey for other animals. In 1996, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, declared the Sumatran rabbit found in Southeast Asia to be a critically endangered species. There have been only two sightings of the species in the 21st century. The IUCN also placed the European rabbit species in the “Near Threatened” category in 2019, with a possibility of extinction.
There have been programs and initiatives taken up by charities and welfare bodies to protect rabbits. The Riverine Rabbit Programme is one such effort that was established in 2003, and they aimed to coordinate and oversee the conservation efforts towards the critically endangered Riverine rabbit, along with its habitat. In India, The Leporidae family (rabbits and hares) receive protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 because two of the existing species are endangered.
International Rabbit Day was founded in 1998 by The Rabbit Charity in the U.K., and it became a significant day to celebrate and spread awareness about rabbit protection and conservation.
HOW TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL RABBIT DAY
1.Read, read, read!
It’s time to harness the power of knowledge and make yourself aware of the endangered rabbits and different ways to protect both wild and domestic breeds.
2.Donate to a rabbit welfare body
You can find several welfare bodies for rabbit conservation on the internet — we recommend the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund or RWAF. If you have the resources, consider donating to help sustain their efforts!
3.Adopt a new family member
Rabbits make the cutest pets. Visit your local pet shelter and adopt a soft bunny to celebrate this day. Make sure to read up about rabbit care in advance.
WHY WE LOVE INTERNATIONAL RABBIT DAY
A. Rabbits are social animals
Rabbits love us just as much as we love them! They love having company and getting our attention.
B. Rabbits need protection
Rabbits are prone to disease and become prey to many animals in the wild if left unprotected. They need our care and protection so that their low numbers can rise once again.
C. Bunnies are cute
There is a reason cute bunny compilations get millions of views on the internet. Rabbits are small and cute and they deserve nothing but love.
References:
“International Rabbit Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/international-rabbit-day/