What's Killing Colorado's Rabbits? Investigating The "Zombie Rabbit" Outbreak

3 min read Post on Aug 20, 2025

What's Killing Colorado's Rabbits? Investigating the "Zombie Rabbit" Outbreak

Colorado's wild rabbit population is facing a mysterious and alarming decline, sparking concern among wildlife officials and residents alike. Dubbed the "zombie rabbit" outbreak by some, the phenomenon involves rabbits exhibiting unusual symptoms, leading to a significant drop in numbers across the state. This isn't your typical viral infection; the cause is far more complex and deeply unsettling for the state's ecosystem.

The Symptoms: A Disturbing Sight

The affected rabbits aren't actually undead, but their behavior is certainly alarming. Reports describe rabbits appearing lethargic, disoriented, and exhibiting unusual neurological symptoms like tremors, paralysis, and head tilting. Many are found dead, often without readily apparent external injuries. This puzzling presentation has baffled wildlife experts, leading to extensive research and investigations.

Loss of Coordination: Rabbits struggle to maintain balance and coordination, often stumbling and falling.
Muscle Weakness/Paralysis: Affected animals display varying degrees of paralysis, impacting their ability to escape predators or find food.
Unusual Behavior: Rabbits may become unusually docile or aggressive, deviating from their typical shy and elusive nature.
Sudden Death: Many rabbits die suddenly without showing clear signs of illness beforehand.

The Leading Suspect: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2)

While the exact cause remains under investigation, the leading suspect is Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2). This highly contagious and lethal virus is known to cause severe hemorrhagic disease in rabbits, leading to rapid death. RHDV2 has devastated rabbit populations in other parts of the world, and its emergence in Colorado is a serious concern.

The virus spreads rapidly, both directly through contact with infected rabbits and indirectly through contaminated environments. Even seemingly innocuous items like contaminated clothing or equipment can facilitate transmission. The virus is extremely resilient and can persist in the environment for extended periods.

The Impact on Colorado's Ecosystem

The decline in rabbit populations has far-reaching implications for Colorado's delicate ecosystem. Rabbits are a crucial part of the food chain, serving as prey for various predators, including foxes, coyotes, hawks, and owls. A significant reduction in rabbit numbers could lead to a domino effect, impacting predator populations and potentially disrupting the balance of the entire ecosystem.

What's Being Done?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is actively investigating the outbreak, working to identify the exact cause and develop strategies to mitigate the impact. Research efforts are focused on:

Surveillance and Monitoring: CPW is actively monitoring rabbit populations and collecting samples for laboratory analysis.
Disease Investigation: Experts are working to determine the extent of RHDV2 spread and identify potential reservoirs of the virus.
Public Awareness: Educating the public about the virus and preventive measures is crucial to help contain its spread.

What You Can Do:

While there's no known cure for RHDV2, you can help prevent its spread:

Avoid contact with sick or dead rabbits: Do not handle them directly; report any suspected cases to CPW.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any wild animals or their carcasses.
Disinfect equipment: Clean and disinfect any equipment or clothing that may have come into contact with rabbits.

The "zombie rabbit" outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our ecosystems and the potential devastating impact of emerging infectious diseases. Continued research, monitoring, and public cooperation are essential to understanding and managing this crisis and protecting Colorado's wildlife. For the latest updates and information, visit the .