YouTube: Castilla-La Mancha Media
Nuns at the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua in Castile-La Mancha, Spain are leading efforts to save a local breed of giant rabbit from extinction.
Spanish giant rabbits are a cross between the famous Flemish giant rabbit and local brown rabbits that were first introduced to the country in the early 1900s by rabbit breeders.
They can get as big as a “small lamb” and produce as much as 15 lbs of meat. This meat was essential for nourishing families during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, as food sources were scarce amidst the conflict. They also reproduce at extremely rapid rates, birthing litters with upwards of 16 – 22 babies.
Despite this fact, these behemoth bunnies are now facing extinction, and one convent in Spain is dedicated to preserving the breed.
YouTube: Castilla-La Mancha MediaSpanish giant rabbits were an important food source during the Spanish Civil War. Now, nuns are repaying the favor by helping keep the breed alive.
Spanish nuns lead conservation efforts for rare giant rabbit breed
Three of 11 nuns at the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua are currently caring for 35 Spanish giant rabbits in the hopes of growing their dwindling numbers.
The initiative started more than thirty years ago, after Sr. Consuelo Peset Laudeña was given two of these rabbits by her parents. They started raising the animals on-site, but shifted their goal to conservation after Peset was made aware that they were slowly going extinct.
“We contacted an association, I sent some photos, and they told me, ‘You have a spectacular animal, and it’s endangered,'” she told the Global Sisters Report.
Her fellow nuns agreed to help preserve the breed and sought permits to build a rabbit farm on the Convent’s property. What initially cost around $5,700 has blossomed into a successful breeding program, with each rabbit boasting an official pedigree and ample space to hop around.
The Convent is even breeding a special white variant of the breed, which Peset says isn’t officially recognized by ruling bodies. The nuns also make pastries and ice cream, which they sell to help fund the program.
Extinct blue antelope is being brought back after 200 years
Endangered animal rescued thousands of miles from home, and now it’s a pet
Peset, who trained as a veterinary assistant, says keeping the breed alive is a necessary part of preserving Spanish history and staying true to their values.
“Many families have managed to get by thanks to this animal, and now it seems we are forgetting that part of our history,” she said. “We have to protect creation. We are Franciscans. St. Francis is the patron saint of veterinarians, and that is the source of the love and admiration we feel for the Spanish giant rabbit.”
She and her fellow nuns take strict care of the rabbits, and have even loaned some to local schools, theme parks, and private breeders to help spread awareness and continue the program.
