Rare and endangered striped rabbit

Zebra rabbits have only been discovered for about ten years. They are only available in Vietnam and Laos. According to conjecture, there are only 100-200 children left in the wild.

' The zebra rabbit ( Nesolagus Timminsi ) is one of only two rabbits with stripes. This is an ancient animal that remains , ' said Dr. Pham Trong Anh, Vertebrate Zoology Department, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), said.

Red alarm

Zebra rabbits were found by Russian scientists in Laos in 1996 and continued to be found in Vietnam in Phong Nha - Ke Bang Nature Reserve (Quang Binh) and Pu Mat (Nghe An). The most recent 'Vietnam rabbit rabbit research' project of the group of scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources shows that zebra rabbit is endemic only in Laos and Vietnam. For many years of research, scientists have collected a number of samples, photographed and other information about the presence of zebra rabbits in the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and possibly in northern Thua Thien-Hue.

Some striped rabbit .

'During the investigation, we also met some of the zebra rabbits that were trapped by the people, because they were located at the edge of the forest. This has seriously reduced this rare rabbit population. However, until now, there has not been any major research works on rabbit stripes. Therefore, it is not possible to assess the status of this species and how many individuals remain. Estimates are only about 100-200 individuals, ' said Dr. Anh.

Dr. Dang Tat The, a member of the Department of Molecular and Genetic Learning Systems, a member of the research team said that rabbits are famous for their rapid reproductive ability, they reach early adulthood and give birth regularly. However, it is unclear why this rabbit species is the opposite, only very small population, small in number, small in terms of distribution and push this species to the risk of extinction without explanation. worth. ' The lack of detailed research topics, not only for this species but also many other rare species is an alarming issue in the current species conservation work,' Dr. The added.

Difficult to preserve

The project 'Vietnam zebra rabbit research' by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources is considered the only work to study this species. However, the content is only of the nature of discovering, describing and announcing new species but not in-depth research.

According to the scientists, not only the zebra rabbit, but many other new animals such as brown rabbits, ice rats, frogs, birds . there is a lack of scientific data on biological, ecological and population characteristics. and especially the lack of conservation projects. The lack of conservation projects has pushed many species, especially rare and precious animal and plant species, to the risk of extinction due to frequent hunting and loss of natural habitat.

. trapped by people (Photo: Pham Trong Anh)

'There is a fact that more research topics are only for species of great significance, in addition to the scientific meaning they also have high practical meaning such as medicine, food making and special public opinion. If a rabbit is concerned, it is difficult to propose a topic to be approved for investment , 'said Dr. Anh.

Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Con, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Society of Biological Industries commented: 'In many countries in the world, when discovering a new species, there are intensive research works for science, including the smallest insects . That has encouraged scientists to be passionate about researching and promoting development science '.