Hand rearing baby rabbits

Photos by Fern Riddell

Wildwood recently opened an "animal encounters" area close to the play area which has a number of animals like goats, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago the keepers found two baby rabbits whose mum had unfortunately died during the night. They still had their eyes closed and only a small amount of hair.

They would not survive without the keepers getting involved, ‘They were tiny when we found them’ commented Ali Bennett Wildwood Keeper, ‘We didn't think they would stand much of a chance, but they held on and now their eyes are open we think there is a good chance they will make it through the winter.’

The keepers have moved the babies in from the outside enclosure where they were born to a specialised hand rearing centre which keeps them warm and safe.‘We still bottle feed them but they are gradually weaning themselves on to solid food now’ commented Karen Price Wildwood Keeper.

The baby bunnies are still so small that they fit into the palm of your hand, and will be kept inside under the watchful eye of their keepers until the spring.

Rabbits are just one of the huge range of British animals that can be seen at the Wildwood Discovery Park, for more information visit the website at http://www.wildwoodtrust.org/ or telephone 0871 7820087.

Wildwood is an ideal day out for all the family where you can come 'nose to nose' with British Wildlife. Wildwood offers its members and visitors a truly inspirational way to learn about the natural history of Britain by actually seeing the wildlife that once lived here, like the wolf, beaver, red squirrel, wild boar and many more.

Wildwood is situated close to Canterbury, just off the A291 between Herne Bay and Canterbury. For more information visit our website at http://www.wildwoodtrust.org/ or telephone 0871 782008.

Bunny Facts:

• Although rabbits build nests, they are not chickens and, after initial preparation, will not sit on their nests. They also do not stay on or by the nests after the babies are born. This would attract the attention of predators. The babies burrow to the bottom of the nest where they remain hidden until Mamma Rabbit wakes them up at mealtime.
  
• Only rarely does a mother rabbit nurse her young right after giving birth. Most often the first nursing will occur the night after the kindling. The rabbit's rich milk sustains the babies for 24 hours at a time. The preferred mealtime is between mid­night and 5:00 a.m.
  
• A mother rabbit does not lie down in the nest, as a cat would do, but stands over the babies to nurse them. She does, however, clean them and lick their bellies and bottoms to stimulate elimination in much the same way as a cat.
  
• If you want definite proof that the babies are being cared for, check them early each morning. They should be warm and round-bellied. The best way to know for sure is to weigh them on a small postage scale or kitchen scale. Write down a description and the weight. If they're gaining weight (1/4 oz. or so), they're being fed.