The Rabbitry

Rabbit accommodation

After a couple of delightful years with our two rex rabbits, Shadow (all black) and Panda the Dalmation white with black spots) we were introduced through the Rare Breeds Conservation Society to the wonderful Enderby rabbit.

Enderby

These astonishing rabbits survived in sub Antarctic conditions on Enderby Island where they were released to provide food for shipwrecked sailors lost in the deep southern ocean.

Xavier

After nearly 100 years of adaption to this most harsh of habitats they were deemed to be having a detrimental affect on the fragile ecosystems of Enderby Island and the Department of Conservation earmarked this most unusual breed for eradication in 1992

Fortunately the Rare Breeds people were alerted to the situation and mounted a rescue operation in association with the New Zealand Dept of Conservation and managed to capture 49 Enderbys from four different locations and have since been slowly but surely saving these beautiful creatures from extinction.

There are close to 200 Enderby rabbits now in the world with concerted breeding programmes continuing predominantly in New Zealand but in recent years also in the USA.

Minilops

Warwickz Farm has decided to get involved and we adopted Xavier, a buck who we hope to have a mate for in the not too distant future. This finely featured fellow has now grown a full cover of the characteristic silver fur and is a Farm favourite.

For more information on this wonderful breed see www.rarebreeds.co.nz

It was while we were meeting baby Xavier for the first time that Elaine saw her first minilop rabbit close up and well, it wasn’t many months later before WitchyPoo and Jalapeno appeared and then the dam burst.

Currently we have 11 rabbits including 2 Flemish Giants and Sylvia a gorgeous Enderby who is betrothed to Xavier when she comes of age.