THE EUROPEAN RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS, LINNAEUS, 1758) IN BULGARIA: PAST AND PRESENT
ALBENA VLASSEVA*, ATIDJE AHMED, PETER GENOV
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research - BAS, 2, U. Gagarin, Sofia, Bulgaria
* Corresponding author: mirchevaa@yahoo.com
Keywords: European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, introduction, game species
Abstract: The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a widespread colonizer and is considered a pest outside its natural range (Spain, Portugal, and northwestern Africa- Morocco and Algeria), where the rabbit is a priority for conservation.
In Bulgaria, O. cuniculus was acclimatized successfully in the 60s of the last century on the St. Ivan Island near Sozopol, where the species can be found today. At the present, its number is between 350-500 individuals and it is not a hunted species due to limited distribution and low numbers. Bulgarian hunters are interested in introducing European rabbit in more places in the country and its inclusion in the game species list.
This paper presents chronologically the introduction of O. cuniculus in Bulgaria, the current status of the only surviving colony of the species, and also comment positive and negative aspects of the widespread introduction of the controversial species like the European rabbit in our country.