Restocking with wild rabbit to counter the effects of VHD on rabbit populations

The rabbit recovery actions carried out under previous LIFE projects (2002-2011), created a significant increase in wild rabbit populations in the areas of presence of the Iberian lynx, which led to an increase in feline populations.
However, the recent emergence of a new strain of VHD, have caused a significant decline in rabbit populations, not only in the areas of presence of the Iberian lynx, but in much of the Iberian Peninsula.

As a result of this reduced availability of food for the lynx, was detected a decrease in the annual reproduction of the species. This reduction initially showed up in a more pronounced way in the population of Andújar-Cardena, from 50-60 cubs in the best years, to 38 in 2012 and only 15 in 2013.

In order to minimize the potential negative effects of the decline of rabbit populations on the population dynamics of the Iberian lynx, there was a "shock plan" in coordination with the LIFE project partners (WWF, CBD y CAM) and OAPN.

The main measure of this shock plan envisages a wild rabbit restocking in order to recover their populations, and also in providing supplementary feeding. Occasionally, proceeded to the translocation of a territorial female (Carla) of Andújar, historical territory where the rabbit had gone almost entirely, for the area of Guarrizas, where plenty of rabbit is much higher.

From November 2013 to December 2014, considering only the data of Andalusia Regional Council, were introduced more than 10.000 rabbits in populations of Andújar-Cardena and Doñana. Specifically in the population of Andújar-Cardena, 6.700 rabbits were released, of wich, 19 were territorial females.

To these measures are in addition the released rabbits and territories intervened by other partners (WWF and CBD-Habitat Foundation) and other bodies outside the Life project, but involved in lynx conservation in the area, as OAPN and P.N. from Andújar.

The first effects of the shock plan seems to have-expressed in the number of detected cubs in Andújar-Cardena, from 15 in 2013 to 30 in 2014. However, this figure falls short of the 50-60 obtained in the best years, which indicates that the work is just beginning and that we must continue recovery efforts of rabbit populations and monitoring the incidence of this new variant of VHD, as new outbreaks of the disease may arise.

With regard to the areas of reintroduction of Guarrizas and Guadalmellato, will also have detected the effects of this disease in the rabbit populations, that have decreased. The average abundances of this lagomorphs are more than sufficient levels (higher than the densities found in Andújar-Cardena or Doñana in the best years) to allow the Lynx live and reproduce normally, as happened in 2014.
During the year 2015 is expected to continue with the rabbit restocking both in Andújar-Cardeña as in Doñana, as well as the ongoing monitoring of rabbit populations and the incidence of VHD in all areas of the project's scope of action.