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Publications

Hoffmann, R. S. and A. T. Smith. 2005. Lagomorphs. Pp. 185-211. In: Mammal Species of the World, 3^rd Edition.

D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, editors. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan

J.A. Chapman and J.E.C. Flux, Editors. 1990. Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN, Gland. (168 pages)

Ordering Information: Contact the IUCN bookstore or Dr. Andrew Smith

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the known Lagomorph species, including species descriptions, range maps, and conservation issues.

Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of the Order Lagomorpha
Chapter 2: Lagomorph Classification
Chapter 3: The Pikas
Chapter 4: The Hares and Jackrabbits
Chapter 5: The Cottontails
Chapter 6: The Pygmy Rabbit
Chapter 7: The European Rabbit
Chapter 8: The African Rabbits
Chapter 9: The Hispid Hare
Chapter 10: The Sumatran Rabbit
Chapter 11: The Amami Rabbit
Chapter 12: The Volcano Rabbit
Chapter 13: Exotic Populations
Chapter 14: Conservation Action Needed for Rabbits, Hares and Pikas
Appendix 1: IUCN/SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group Position Statements

Meetings

International Workshop for the Conservation of Mexican Lagomorphs in Danger of Extinction

Ordering Information

Copies of this publication can be ordered though the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, 12010 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, 55124, USA. Send cheques for US$35 (for printing and shipping costs) payable to CBSG (cheques must be drawn on a US bank). Funds may also be wired to First Bank NA ABA 091000022, for credit to CBSG Account No. 1100 1210 1736.

PREFACE

It is with great pleasure that I introduce this volume that originated from the Conservation Workshop for Endemic Lagomorphs of Mexico that was held at the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana -- Unidad Iztapalapa, Mexico City on 11 - 14 January 1996. This event, hosted by the Asociacion Mexicana para la Conservacion y Estudio de los Lagomorphos (AMCELA) and the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) and Lagomorph Specialist Group (LSG) of IUCN-The World Conservation Union's Species Survival Commission, brought together over 30 individuals from Mexico and the United States with the common purpose to review, refine, and develop further conservation strategies for the endemic lagomorph species of Mexico. This process consisted of a Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP), designed to evaluate the status of all the endemic lagomorphs of Mexico, followed by a Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) for the volcano rabbit (also zacatuche or teporingo; Romerolagus diazi).

Meetings of this sort do not just happen by accident. There were several forces that came together to bring us all together: need, capacity and desire. The most important of these forces was the need to preserve and protect the lagomorph fauna of Mexico. Mexico is home to more than a quarter of the world's rabbits and hares, and of these eight are endemic species. Half of the endemic forms have been listed as endangered or critically endangered by the LSG using IUCN's new quantitative criteria for the determination of threatened species, and the other half are also declining in population or geographic range. The zacatuche, in particular, is a species of special concern within Mexico, and is being proposed as Mexico's national symbol for conservation. Most of Mexico's endemic lagomorphs occur in areas of pronounced species diversity and endemism, thus proper protection of lagomorph species can simultaneously preserve a valuable proportion of the diversity of the world's lagomorphs and provide an umbrella for the protection of habitats of other threatened and endemic forms within Mexico.

The second force was the capacity to take significant action based on conservation science. Over the past decade a new generation of Mexican biologists have blossomed and taken a leadership role in studies of threatened species and conservation issues. These studies now form a strong platform upon which comprehensive conservation analysis and planning can build. It is personally gratifying that several of these investigators are members of the LGS (Gerardo Ceballos, Fernando Cervantes, Francisco Romero and Alejandro Velazquez) and are pioneering internationally-recognized conservation agendas in their studies of lagomorphs.

Third, there is now an unparalleled desire among many persons, non-government organizations, and government agencies to conserve lagomorphs in Mexico. AMCELA is just one example of a broad-based grassroots organization that is committed to this cause. Consejo National de la Fauna, NATURALIA, and others also have developed a strong desire to assist in the conservation of the zacatuche. This increase in local capacity ensures that there is linkage between academic circles and conservation action on the ground.

Thus, in recognition of this need, capacity and enthusiasm, representatives of the LSG and AMCELA met in July, 1995 in Mexico City and conducted preliminary discussions concerning the need to develop a conservation strategy for endemic Mexican Lagomorphs. The CBSG was invited to facilitate the Workshop, funding proposals were drafted, and the planning began. Many persons and organizations were ultimately responsible for the success of the Workshop. Funding for the Workshop was generously provided by the Wildlife Preservation Trust International, the St. Louis Zoo, CONABIO, the Mexican Ministry of the Environment, the Sir Peter Scott Action Plan Fund, the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana -- Unidad Iztapalapa, and the Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico. Our host, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana -- Unidad Iztapalapa rolled out the red carpet for us and provided for all our needs; we greatly appreciate the efforts of Javier Olvera and the fourteen UAM-I students for their hosptality. Drs. Susie Ellis and Phil Miller of CBSG provided the expertise, leadership and interspersonal skills necessary for a successful workshop. We especially are appreciative of the participation and point of view brought to the Workshop by Francisco Chavira. Francisco and the Comuneros Organizados de Milpa Alta provided the fantastic picnic that culminated the Workshop. As we feasted in a clearing in the middle of the range of the zacatuche and under the volcan Tlaloc, it was possible to put into perspective the true reason for this Workshop -- the glory of natural habitats and their inhabitants that we wish to protect and preserve. And last, but certainly not least, the Workshop could not have been held without the expert planning and organization, all with a smile, of Gloria Portales and Paty Reyes.

It is my personal desire that this document represents just the first stage of an active conservation agenda for the lagomorphs of Mexico, and that those that gave up their time (14 hours each day!) to ensure the success of the Workshop -- those that are truly committed to this conservation agenda -- are widely recognized and rewarded for their interest, enthusiasm, expertise and dedication.

Andrew T. Smith Chair, Lagomorph Specialist Group

RESOLUTIONS
RECOGNIZING that Mexico is one of 5 countries with the richest biodiversity in the world;

ACKNOWLEDGING that this enormous biodiversity is characterized by a high number of endemic species;

REMEMBERING that the wise use and conservation of renewable natural resources is a problem that reaches beyond national boundaries and that the problem of species extinction is the responsibility of all people;

RECOGNIZING that the transformation, deterioration, and loss of natural environments will cause their fragmentation, thus changing the probability of extinction of wild plant and animal populations;

NOTING that Mexico contains the largest number of endemic rabbit species in continental America;

RECOGNIZING that the volcano rabbit or zacatuche is a unique species that is considered rare and in danger of extinction;

CONSIDERING that the zacatuche is distributed only in a very small area and is restricted to the mountains south and southwest of the Mexican Valley, very near Mexico City where nearly 20 million people live;

INDICATING the biological importance nationally and globally of this species;

and the suggestions of the expert participants of the International Workshop for the Conservation of the Mexican Lagomorphs in Danger of Extinction,

WE PROPOSE that the zacatuche be adopted as the symbol of conservation for Mexico, and especially as an emblem of the commitment of Mexico to protect and assure the conservation of all those species which are exclusive to Mexico.

Taller Internacional Para La Conservacion de los Lagomorfos Mexicanos en Peligro de Extincion

PREFACIO

Es para ml un gran placer introducir este volumen que se originó del Taller Internacional para Ia Conservación de los Lagomorfos mexicanos en peligro de extinción, ci cuál se realizó en Ia Universidad Autonóma Metropolitana Utiidad lztapalapa, en Ia Ciudad de Mexico del II al 14 de Enero de 1996. Este evento organizado por la AsociaciOn Mexicana para Ia Conservacion y Estudio de Los Lagornorfos (AMCELA), el Grupo Especialista de Conservación y ReproducciOn (CBSU) y el Grupo Especia]ista de Lagomorfos (LSG) de Ia UICN-Unión Mundial de Ia Conservación de Ia Comisión de Sobrevivencia de Especies,logró reunir rnás de 30 individuos de Mexico y Estados Unidos con ci proposito comñn de analizar, refinar y desarrollar fhturas estrategias de conservación para las especies de lagomorfos endëtnicos de Mexico. Este proceso consistió en tin Análisis para conservación y manejo planificado (CAMP), designado para evaluar el estado de todas las especies de lagornorfos endëniicos de Mexico, seguido por un Taller de Analisis de Viabilidad de las Poblaciones y el Habitat (PHVA) para el conejo zacatuche (teporingo o conejo de los volcanes) Romerolagus diazi.

Reuniones de este tipo no suceden por accidente. Hay varias fflerzas que se conjuntaron para reunirnos a todos: necesidad, capacidad y deseo. Lo rnas importante de estas fuerzas era ta necesidad de preservar y proteger a los lagomorfos de Mexico. Mexico es Ia casa de mas de un cuarto de los conejos y liebres qite existen en el mundo, y de estos, ocho son especies endémicas. La mitad de las especies endérnicas ban sido enllstadas como en peiigro o criticamente en peligro de extinción por el LSG utilizando eI nuevo criterio cuantitativo de Ia UICN para Ia determinacion de especies amenazadas y la otra rnitad estan también declinando en población y rango geografico. El zacatuche en particular, es una especie de especial preocupación para México,y ha sido propuesto como el simbolo nacional para Ia conservación en Mexico. La mayoria de las especies de lagornorfos endémicos de Mexico se presentan en areas donde existe una gran diversidad y endernismo de especies, por eso una apropiada proteecion a las especies de lagomorfos, puede simultaneamente, preservar uria valiosa proporción de la diversidad de los lagomorfos que existen en el mundo y proveer una sombrilla de protección de los habitats de otras formas amenazadas y endémicas de Mexico.

La segunda fizerza ftté la capacidad para tomar una acción significativa basada en Ia ciencia de Ia conservación. En Ia ültima decada una nueva generación de biólogos mexieanos ha florecido y ha tornado eI rol de mando en estudios de especies anienazadas y asuntos de conservación. Estos estudios forn-ian ahora una fiterte piataforma en Ia que se puede construir un comprensivo analisis de conservación y planeacion. Personalmente, es para ml gratificante que varios de estos investigadores son miembros del Grupo Especialista de Lagomorfos (Gerardo Ceballos,Fernando Cervantes. Francisco Romero y Alejandro Velãzquez) y sus agendas de conservación reconocidas internaeionalmente son pioneras en los estudios de lagomorfos.

Tercero, hay ahora un deseo sin paralelo entre muchas personas, organizaciones no gubernamentales y oflcinas de gobierno , para conservar a los lagomorfos en Mexico. AMCELA es solo Un ejemplo de una organizaciOn con profiindas raices que se ha cotnprometido a esta causa. Consejo Nacional de la Fauna, NATURALIA y otras tainbién ha desarrollado un ftierte deseo de ayudar en la conservaciOn del zacatuche. Este aumento en Ia capacidad local asegura que hay un vincUlo entre los cfrcullos académicos y acciones de conservacion en el campo.

De esta manera ,reeonociendo esta necesidad, capacidad y entusiamo, representantes de LSG y AMCELA se reunieron en Julio de 1995 en Ia Ciudad de Mexico y llevaron a cabo discusiones preliminares concernientes a Ia necesidad de desarrollar una estrategia de conservaciOn pata los lagomorfos endémicos de Mexico. La CBSG flue invitada para facilitar eI Taller, se desarrollaron propuestas para conseguir fondos y Ia planeacion comenzo. Muchas personas y organizaciones flueron responsables del exito de este Taller. Fondos para este Taller ffleron generosainente proporcionados por Wildlife Preservation Trust International, el St. Louis Zoo, CONABIO, SEMARNAP, Sir Peter Scott Action Plan Fund,Universidad AutOnoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa y Ia Universidad Autónoma de Mexico. Nuestro anfltrion, Ia Universidad AutOnoma Metropolitana Unidad lztapalapa desenrrollo el tapete rojo para nosotros y nos proveeyo de todas nuestras necesidades; apreciamos enormemente los esfiuerzos de Javier Olvera, Demetrio Ambriz y los 14 estudiantes de Ia UAM-I por su hospitalidad. Los doctores Susie Ellis y Phil Miller de CBSG nos proveeyeron con su experiencia, liderazgo y habilidad interpersonal necesaria para un taller exitoso. Especialmente apreciamoes Ia participacion y punto de vista que trajo al Taller Francisco Chavira. Francisco y los Comuneros Organizados de Milpa Alta organizaron un füntástico dia de campo que culmino el Taller. Mientras nos agasajabamos en tin claro en medio del habitat dcl zacatuche y bajo el volcán Tlaloc, flue posible poner en perspectiva in verdadera razon para este Taller, Ia gloria de los habitats naturales y sus habitantes que deseamos proteger y preservar. Por ültimo, pero ciertamente no de menos importancia, el Taller no hubiera podido desarrollarse sin Ia experta planeaciOn y organizacion, todo con una sonrisa de Gloria Portales y Paty Reyes.

Es ml deseo personal que este documento represente solo Ia primera fase de una activa agenda de conservacion para los lagomorfos de Mexico, y que aquellos que dieron su tiempo (14 horas cada dia!) para asegurar eI exito de este Taller, aquellos que realmente esten comprometidos a esta agenda de conservación, sean ampliamente reconocidos y recompensados por su interes, entusiamo, experiencia y dedicacion.

Andrew T. Smith
Representante del Grupo Especialista de Lagomorfos

RESOLUCION SOBRE LA CONSERVACION ESTATUS EN MEXICO DEL ZACATUCHE (Romerolagus diazi)

RECONOCIENDO que Mexico es uno de los 5 paises con mayor biodiversidad a nivel mundtal;

ACORDANDO que esta enorme diversidad biologica se caracteriza pot el gran nümeto de endemismos cuya conservacion es tesponsabilidad de Mexico;

RECORDANDO que el buen uso y conservación de recursos natura]es tenovables es un ptoblema que rebasa las fronteras nacionales y que el ptoblema de Ia extinción de las especies es responsabilidad de todos;

RECONOCIENDO que Ia transfortnacion, deterioto y pérdida de los atnbientes naturales trae como consecuencia su fragnientación, autnentando asi Ia probabilidad de extinción de Las poblaciones de plantas y animales silvesttes;

ANOTANDO que Mexico es el pals con el mayor nümero de liebres y conejos endétnicos de todo el mundo;

RECONOCIENDO que el conejo zacatuche o teporingo es un fósil viviente,exclusivo de la fauna Méxicana que es considerado extremadamente raro y en peligro de extincion;

CONSIDERANDO que el zacatuche solo se disttibuye en una pequeña y restringida area de las montañas del sur y sureste del Valle de Mexico, rnly cerca de Ia Ciudad de Mexico donde habitan cerca de 22 mllliones de personas;

INDICANDO Ia importancia biologica tanto a five] nacional como mundial de esta especie; y las sugetencias de los participantes y especialistas del Taller Internacional pata Ia ConservaciOn de los Lagomorfos Méxicanos en Peligro de Extinción;

SE PROPONE a! coneio zacatuche como el simbolo de Ia conservación para Mexico, y especialrnente conic el emblema del compromiso adquirido pot Mexico pam proteger y asegurar la consetvacion de todas las especies de Mexico.

Education Resources

Enviro-picture building game: "Karoo Life." An Environmental Education Reource

Link to full report

The enviro-picture building game KAROO LIFE, produced by the Riverine Rabbit Working Group

(RRWG) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), is the outcome of almost three years of development

work by numerous cooperating partners such as the Endangered Wildlife Trust, WWF-SA, the Wildlife

and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and Share-Net. Within its Environmental Education

and Awareness Programme, the RRWG recognised the necessity to develop environmental education

resources and learning materials that address environmental and conservation related issues in the Karoo

eco-region. The challenge of the project has been to produce a simple, exciting and flexible resource that

can be used to create a deeper understanding of conservation and environmental issues and their

implications, specific to the Karoo region. The process was funded by the Green Trust and Agri-Expo

through WWF-SA. Various colleges in conservation and education, teachers as well as scientists have

given comments and assisted in producing this resource and it has not necessarily reached its final

conclusive state. It is hoped that it will be a useful resource, that can be adapted to your needs and which

illustrates the beauty and uniqueness of the Karoo but also opens discussions on how to address and

resolve environmental challenges in South Africa’s semi-arid region.

LSG Humour

Official Joke of the LSG

A man was driving down the highway, and he saw a rabbit hopping across the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit.

The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road, and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, it was dead. The driver felt so awful, he began to cry.

A woman driving down the same road came along, saw the man crying on the side of the road, and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong.

"I feel terrible," he explained. "I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it."

The woman told the man not to worry; she knew what to do. She went to her car trunk, and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents of the can onto the animal.

Miraculously the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans, and hopped down the road. Fifty yards away, the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved again, hopped down the road another fifty yards, waved and hopped another fifty yards.

The man was astonished. He couldn't figure out what substance could be in the woman's spray can!! He ran over to the woman and demanded, "What was in your can? What did you spray on that rabbit?"

The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said: "Hair spray. Restores life to dead hair. Adds permanent wave."