Raise The Population of Enderby Island Rabbits In NZ

As of this point of time i understand there is only 150 of these wonderful looking bunnies in New Zealand

Enderby Island in the Auckland Islands group early in October 1865. Here they engendered a rabbit population which was to remain in isolation for nearly 130 years.

A breeding group of 49 rabbits was removed from the Island in September 1992.

Most Enderby Island rabbits are a distinctive silver-grey in colour with an undercoat of dark slate blue. Their heads, ears and tails are much darker – often being black. This unusual coloring has led to a suggestion that the original animals released were the French Argente de Champagne breed (Champagne Silver), but there is no hard evidence to support this rather romantic assumption – although it was widely believed until recently, when it has been suggested that the original rabbits the were released are more likely to have been British Silver Greys.

As well as the silver-grey rabbits, a very small percentage are born cream or beige-colored – a shade produced by a recessive gene.

Enderby Island rabbits are of a moderate size and weigh around two kilograms.