Peter Simpson captured this scene of a Stone curlew protecting its mate from a formidable foe.

Simpson’s photo won first prize in the BirdGuides Photo of the Year 2007 competition.

More info: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/01/16/eabirds116.xml

17 lop-eared Angora rabbits were found wandering around near highway 91 in Ivins, Utah.  Their fur was matted and their ears were damaged. The rabbits were rounded up and brought to the local animal shelter.

For more info: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jL6fM-5z5yM7H5zAcq-w2rLq9MdwD8U77LA00

Cheryl Rosenthal of the Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) writes about the many rabbits abandoned outside. Many people, laden with misconceptions about rabbits, let their unwanted bunny loose, assuming they will be able to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, domestic rabbits lack the necessary survival skills in the wild. Rosenthal writes, “Unless they are rescued by a Good Samaritan and brought to the animal shelter many of these submissive animals suffer miserably and die.”

For the full story: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/OSH10/801150672/1987

The arts-and-crafts chain has agreed to a no-fur policy after receiving a request from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). According to PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk, “There’s a world of suffering in every piece of fur. A.C. Moore should be commended for saving countless animals’ lives by pulling the pelts off its shelves and pledging to go fur-free.”

For more info: http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=10803 

The Fish and Wildlife Service have announced that they will begin an investigation on the status of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) to determine if this species will be listed as threatened or endangered. Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits (who inhabit Washington) are already listed as endangered, and efforts to reintroduce captive-bred rabbits in the area have failed due to high predation. This new report could extend the endangered status listing to more states in the west including California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.

For more information:
90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) as Threatened or Endangered
Feds to Mull Protection for Pygmy Rabbit

Good news for all the rabbit owners living in northern Wales. Daleside Vets in Pandy is offering free dental checkups for rabbits during National Rabbit Week (January 21-27). Many rabbits, when not fed enough hay or given enough wood/cardboard to chew, suffer from elongated teeth. As rabbits’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, it is imperative they wear them down daily. Otherwise, teeth grow long and curl into the back of their mouths, inhibiting their intake of food.

For a full list of vets offering free dental checks in the UK, visit this link: http://www.nationalrabbitweek.co.uk/rescue/index.php?page=map&type=vet

http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/Free-dental-check-for-rabbits.3642568.jp

Cosette was featured on Rabbittude’s Visiting Expert page for May 2007. According to Rabbittude’s dictionary page, “Rabbittude” is defined as: the knowledge of being superior: “I am the bunny!”

This is very true for Cosette.

I will say that I grossly overestimated her weight for her profile. She’s very strong- forcefully nudging me, digging on my back, lifting the puppy pen (which now has 12 pound weights keeping it down), so I assumed she was a lot heavier than she was.  But actually according to the last visit to the vet’s, she’s only 4.7 pounds.  (Sorry Cos!)

Scout leaders in England discovered an abandoned pet rabbit in the scout hut yard on December 28. A note had been stuffed in the gate dated December 25. It read: “I’m not wanted any more, please look after me.” This tale has a happy ending however. Andrea Bisacre, the sister of one of the scout leaders, fell in love with the rabbit, adopted her, and named her Alice.

For more info: http://www.woking.co.uk/news/2019/2019577/happy_ending_for_abandoned_rabbit