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Researcher cuddles rare, elusive Vietnamese rabbit
Eric Hopton for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
Researcher Sarah Woodfin is a rabbit fanatic. Recently she set out on a three-month expedition to South East Asia to track the rare and elusive Annamite Striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi). The best she hoped for was maybe a fleeting glimpse. What she actually got was the chance to cuddle one.
Woodfin, who is studying for a Masters in Applied Ecology and Conservation at the UK’s University of East Anglia (UEA), became the first researcher to hold one in her arms.
“I didn’t expect that I would ever see one up close. I thought that if I was very lucky, I might see one from a distance in the forest. I certainly never expected that I would have the opportunity to hold one of these magnificent animals. I was utterly delighted” she said.
Credit: University of East Anglia
“My team and I encountered the rabbit completely by chance on the first night of my trip. It was found hopping along a stream bank eating vegetation. One of my team members managed to catch it and brought it back to camp, where we were all able to have a good look at it.
“My first feeling was shock” she added. “I recognized it as a striped rabbit as soon as I saw it, as they are very distinctive, but I couldn’t believe that they had caught one. The rabbit was very handsome, with dark stripes against a pale gold background and a red rump. We were able to take some measurements and photographs before we released it back into the forest. I was completely awed by the encounter.
“I had never expected to get so close to the species but it was necessary to take its measurements. The rabbit was bigger than I had anticipated, but light and delicate. I have kept pet rabbits since I was five years old so I knew how to handle it safely. It was a lifetime experience.”
The species was first discovered in1999 in the forests of Laos and Vietnam by Sarah’s mentor, Dr Diana Bell from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences. Since then, there have only been a few brief sightings, but motion sensitive ‘camera traps’ had previously captured several images, including grainy video footage.
Woodfin traveled to the World Wildlife Fund Vietnam conservation area to survey and analyse the rabbit’s habitat and vegetation, which she hopes will improve further conservation efforts.
Woodfin added: “Nothing is known about the Annamite Striped rabbit and it is absolutely fascinating to think that anything I discover about it could be new. It is genetically very distinct from other rabbit species. Sadly there is a possibility that this species could be at risk of extinction due to deforestation and hunting. It is therefore extremely important that we understand as much as possible about this species so that we can evaluate its conservation status and implement appropriate conservation measures.”
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Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1113403259/research-cuddles-rare-elusive-vietnamese-rabbit-060415/
