First insight into the ecology of an elusive and threatened rabbit
Thua Thien-Hue (VNS/VNA) - A new study has provided
the first detailed information about the Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus
timminsi) – a little-known lagomorph not discovered until 1995.
The study was carried
out by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) in
collaboration with WWF-Vietnam, WWF-Laos and the Central Institute for Natural
Resources and Environmental Sciences (CRES) of the Vietnam National University.
WWF-Vietnam said the study was published in the international
journal Oryx.
Researchers used camera trapping to study the Annamite striped
rabbit in five areas of Vietnam and Laos. Camera traps placed across the
landscape showed that although the rabbit was found in all the areas, the
species was not common in any of them, and in one protected area it appeared to
be approaching local extinction.
These results show that intensive poaching in Vietnam and Laos, accomplished by
setting wire snares, has clearly impacted striped rabbit populations. However,
the fact the species still exists in the region that has experienced such
intensive snaring provides hope that, with effective anti-poaching efforts,
these populations could recover.
According to WWF-Vietnam, the Annamite mountains of Vietnam
and Laos harbour exceptional species richness and endemism, but their wildlife
is under threat from widespread and intensive poaching.
“It is exciting to provide the first insight into such an
elusive species,” says Andrew Tilker, a PhD student at Leibniz-IZW and an
Associate Conservation Scientist at Global Wildlife Conservation.
“Of course, this information is interesting from a scientific
perspective, but more importantly it can help inform evidence-driven
conservation initiatives,” he said. “Our results provide exact locations for
targeted snare removal efforts. We also establish the first conservation
baseline for the species, which can be used to monitor population trends.”
Dr. Ben Rawson, WWF-Vietnam’s Conservation and Programme
Development Director, hopes intensive efforts to halt snaring will result in
rebounds in rabbit populations.
“With continued snare removal efforts in the Saola Nature
Reserves led by WWF and our local partners, we are confident that this
remarkable species can thrive,” Rawson said.
One of the most significant findings of this study is that
the Annamite striped rabbits live in an unprotected forest area in Laos, near a
remote village called Ban Palé. The presence of this kind of rabbit in the Palé
area – along with other rare and threatened species – further supports ongoing
initiatives to grant this area officially protected status. The Palé area is
under imminent threat from illegal hunting, logging and gold-mining operations.
Francois Guegan, Conservation Director for WWF-Laos, said:
“We must act now to stop these threats and to provide effective protection to
Palé. We have to work together, and we have to act fast. Otherwise we will lose
the Annamite striped rabbit and other conservation-priority species from this
site.”
“The Annamite striped rabbit is part of what makes the
Annamites unique,” says co-author of the study Associate Professor Minh Le from
the Vietnam National University. “This study shows how fragile the species’
survival is, even in protected areas.”
An Nguyen, Field Coordinator for the Leibniz-IZW project,
agrees.
“The species is hanging on – but for how much longer? We need
to improve law enforcement, stop snaring and reduce demand for bush meat. One
organisation alone cannot do this. We need to work together if the Annamite
striped rabbit is to survive.”-VNS/VNA