EFFECTIVENESS OF TRADITIONAL WILD RABBIT RESTOCKING IN SPAIN

Since myxomatosis, around half a million rabbits are restocked annuall y in France and the Iberian Peninsula. The effectiveness of this appro ach to restoration is still unknown. In this study, the efficacy of tr aditional restocking was evaluated by marking rabbits with radiocollar s and reproducing the methodology usually employed in Spain. The estim ated mean survival rate for the first 10 days after release was very l ow (<3%). Most of the tagged rabbits were dead within three months. Ca uses of mortality included injuries, disease, and predation (especiall y by red foxes, Vulpes vulpes). The deaths were mainly within the firs t week after release, a period that could be considered critical for t he establishment of the animals. Male rabbits were more affected by di seases, whereas females were preyed upon more often. For both sexes, a verage dispel sal distance was low (435 m from the release place). We suggest that survival of introduced rabbits could be increased (21%) b y disturbing carnivores within the restocking area. A short period in captivity prior to release (2-3 weeks) increased rabbit survival rates (40%), by allowing us to remove diseased animals (mainly affected by myxomatosis). Assuming the existence of a 'predator pit' in some popul ations of rabbits, the traditional rabbit restocking is not an effecti ve method of increasing the most important prey for the vertebrate eco system in the Iberian Peninsula, although some improvements could be m ade.