Long-term population dynamics of the European Rabbit Oryctolagus cunniculus in SW Poland during the years 1980-2020

Kopij, Grzegorz

doi:10.2478/cszma-2024-0013

Abstract

Using the hunting bags data, spatial and temporal changes in population densities of the European Rabbit during the years 1981–2020 in SW Poland (29 358 km², including 8411 km² forests) have been analyzed. During the years 1999-2003, a rapid increase in the numbers of the rabbit took place, reaching a maximum of c. 900 individuals in 2003-2004. However, in the two consecutive years (2005-2006), the numbers rapidly decreased to c. 600, and then levelled off at around 600-700 individuals until 2020. In 1981-1990, rabbits occurred mostly in Sudety foothills. Larger concentrations were recorded in SE Legnica hunting region (HR), SW Wrocław HR, SW Opole HR. The main reason for the decline over the last three decades is the rabbit haemorrhagic disease.

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Long-term population dynamics of the European Rabbit Oryctolagus cunniculus in SW Poland during the years 1980-2020

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