In 1865, rabbits were brought to Enderby Island, evolving distinct traits over the next 127 years. As conservation efforts aimed to restore the island's ecosystem, authorities grappled with the challenge of balancing the removal of these introduced species with their unique identity. Ultimately, fifty rabbits were relocated to the mainland, allowing for the preservation of the Enderby rabbit lineage through managed breeding programs in New Zealand.

Rabbits were deliberately released on New Zealand’s remote Enderby Island in October 1865 to provide a potential food source for people who might be shipwrecked in the…

In 1865, rabbits were brought to Enderby Island, evolving distinct traits over the next 127 years. As conservation efforts aimed to restore the island's ecosystem, authorities…