Rescue of Baby Wild Rabbits in Southern Taiwan
Case Overview: On August 29, 2022, a farmer in southern Taiwan discovered two baby wild rabbits while spraying herbicide on his farmland. As the surrounding habitat had already been disturbed by development, he quickly brought the young rabbits home to keep them safe.
Sadly, one of the rabbits, the weaker of the two (identified as Wild Rabbit No. 9), did not survive and passed away shortly after being found. Concerned about the well-being of the remaining rabbit (Wild Rabbit No. 8), the farmer contacted the Taiwan Rabbit Loving Association for help.
On September 17, 2022, the surviving wild rabbit was safely transferred to the Kaohsiung Rabbit Home, where volunteers from the association took over its care and provided emergency support.
Caring for a Young Wild Rabbit
Because wild animals cannot be cared for in the same way as ordinary pets, special attention must be given to help them survive independently after being released. It is crucial to preserve their natural instincts and avoid letting them become accustomed to human contact. Therefore, during the care period, handling is kept to a minimum—limited only to essential feeding and health monitoring.
When the association first took in the young wild rabbit, it weighed 176 grams and was estimated to be about two to three weeks old. After roughly forty-five days of care, the rabbit was fully weaned. At this stage, cage-based housing became unsuitable for its growing needs as a wild animal, so it was moved to the second-phase training area to continue its rehabilitation.
Wild Release Training: Phase Two
In the second stage of wild release training, the rabbits are moved to a larger enclosure designed to simulate a natural environment more closely. The new area features wide windows that allow them to directly experience changes in weather, temperature, and sunlight while remaining safely protected from predators.
Once relocated, the feeding routine changes to an irregular schedule, both in timing and quantity. This adjustment encourages the rabbits to search for food on their own and reduces their dependence on a fixed feeding time. Instead of daily weight monitoring, the caretakers now assess the rabbits' health through indirect means such as observing their droppings and reviewing footage from cameras placed around the enclosure.
Just before release, Rabbit No. 8 weighed approximately 1.18 kilograms.
Successful Wildlife Release
On February 19, 2023, the release mission set out in the early morning hours. The team arrived at the release site by 5 a.m. and began their task immediately.
As soon as the little hare stepped out of its travel cage, it dashed away with large, confident strides. With that swift and spirited departure, the wildlife release mission was successfully completed.
Phase 1: Baby Rabbit Care
Wild Hare No. 8 Report
August 29, 2022
On August 29, 2022, a farmer in southern Taiwan found two baby wild hares while spraying herbicide. Because the surrounding habitat had already been affected by development, the farmer quickly took the two hares home to keep them safe.
Unfortunately, one of the weaker hares, later named Wild Hare No. 9, passed away at the farmer's home. The farmer then contacted the Rabbit Lovers Association for help and brought the surviving hare—Wild Hare No. 8—to the Kaohsiung Rabbit House on September 17, 2022. Volunteers at the association immediately took over its care.
The farmer mentioned that before transferring the hare, they had been feeding it with a herbivore milk substitute for two weeks.
Caring for Wild Animals: A Different Approach
Taking care of wild animals is very different from caring for pets. The goal is to help them survive independently after being released back into the wild. To achieve this, their natural instincts must be preserved, and they should not become accustomed to human contact.
During the rehabilitation period, volunteers provide only essential medical care and record-keeping. They intentionally minimize interaction with the animals. In particular, they must avoid talking to the wild rabbits as if they were pets—a real challenge for volunteers who love chatting with animals!
When the association took in Wild Rabbit No. 8, it weighed 176 grams and was estimated to be about two to three weeks old. Based on this, it was likely just a newborn when the farmer first found it.
Caring for a Young Wild Hare
In the early stages, volunteers provided artificial feeding for the young wild hare twice a day — in the morning and evening — using a syringe to deliver milk substitute. Alongside this, a generous supply of wild grass and hay was placed in its enclosure to help the hare gradually become accustomed to eating on its own.
The young hare was lively and alert from the start. When approached for feeding, it actively sucked from the syringe, and once full, it would show signs of restlessness and even attempts to escape. Each feeding session typically required between 9 to 18 milliliters of milk, with caregivers carefully judging the amount based on the hare's responses. Detailed records of its daily intake and weight changes were also maintained.
Over the care period, the hare's body weight increased steadily. By late September, its wild instincts had become much stronger — it would dart away or act defensively whenever approached by caregivers. At this stage, the hare had reached the weaning phase. Consequently, on October 1, volunteers stopped milk feeding, allowing the young hare to depend entirely on self-feeding through natural foraging.
Wild Rabbit No. 8: From Caution to Freedom
Wild rabbits are naturally wary of humans. They spend most of their time hidden away, observing their surroundings from a safe distance. In the two photos above, however, the little rabbit can be seen out in the open — a rare moment of calm and curiosity instead of fear.
Over the course of its rehabilitation, Wild Rabbit No. 8 showed steady growth and adaptability. Weight monitoring was conducted until November 13, after which measurements were stopped to minimize disturbance before release.
On February 19, the day of release, Rabbit No. 8 weighed 1,180 grams — healthy and ready to return to the wild.
This milestone marks not only the rabbit's return to nature but also a quiet success story for wildlife care and rehabilitation efforts. Each small creature that safely returns to its habitat helps restore the delicate balance of our ecosystem.
Juvenile Hare Care Room Layout
To ensure safety and ease of care, young hares are kept within a confined space measuring 100 cm by 100 cm. Since hares have long, slender limbs and move quickly, regular wire cages used for pet rabbits are unsuitable. The gaps between bars could trap their legs during movement and cause accidents.
The Rabbit Welfare Association uses custom-made enclosures with solid panels on all sides and sufficient ventilation openings. The base of each enclosure is covered with dry hay, and several potted plants that young hares can safely eat are placed inside. When entire plants or branches are provided, they are arranged to mimic how they would naturally grow from the ground, helping to recreate a more familiar environment.
To help the young hares adjust to a normal day and night rhythm, each care room has a small exterior window that lets in natural sunlight. This allows the hares to sense the difference between day and night, supporting their natural behavior and well-being.
Care Arrangement for Wild Hares
To prevent wild hares from becoming accustomed to humans, caretakers limit direct contact strictly to essential care tasks. These include feeding (formula feeding), recording body weight, and cleaning duties. Outside of these necessary interactions, monitoring and observation are conducted via surveillance cameras and wildlife recording devices.
Cleaning is performed approximately twice a week, mainly to replace bedding materials in order to prevent mold and mosquito breeding, as well as to check the hares' droppings for health observation. No additional disinfection is carried out, allowing the hares to maintain their natural resistance to pathogens found in the wild.
Artificial Milk Feeding for Wild Rabbits
In natural conditions, mother hares usually do not stay in the nest all the time. They return only at dawn and dusk to nurse their young. Baby hares are born fully covered with fur and are capable of eating on their own, relying on their mother's milk only during these two feeding times each day.
To mimic this natural behavior during the care period of young hares, the association provides artificial milk twice a day—once in the early morning and once in the evening. The amount of milk given at each feeding is recorded to monitor the hares' appetite and overall health.
Watering Habits of Wild Rabbits
In nature, wild rabbits usually drink from small puddles or shallow water sources. To mimic this natural behavior in care environments, a shallow dish is used to provide water. The bowl can be placed anywhere within the care area, surrounded by naturally arranged grasses and hay to create a comfortable and familiar setting.
To prevent the rabbits from becoming overly dependent on human-provided water, the water is not changed every day. Instead, it is replaced roughly every three to four days. Juvenile rabbits, which are still fed milk substitutes and given fresh hay or vegetables, typically drink only small amounts of water.
Feeding and Care of Wild Hares
Other Foods
Referring to the experiences shared in the Newsletter of the Endemic Species Research and Conservation Center regarding hare rearing, it was noted that during periods aimed at increasing body weight, it is acceptable to provide a moderate amount of commercial rabbit food.
When the association first took over the care of Hare No. 8, it continued to provide pet rabbit food for the first three days. However, since the hare adapted well to fresh foods and its body weight steadily increased, the feeding of commercial pellets was subsequently discontinued to prevent the hare from becoming accustomed to artificial foods.
Fresh Ingredients for Wild Rabbits
The fresh foods provided are carefully selected ingredients intended for wild rabbits. In addition to common edible wild plants found throughout Taiwan, references from the Endemic Species Research Institute are used to offer a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits for the rabbits.
Besides grasses from the Poaceae and Miscanthus families or readily available fresh forage such as oat grass, wheatgrass, fountain grass, and napier grass, caregivers often provide wild plants like Spanish Needle, Plantain, Purple-Backed Grass, Gomphrena, Youngia, Little Ironweed, Dandelion, and Wedelia. Common perennial plants such as papaya leaves, Broussonetia, mulberry, hibiscus flowers, and banana leaves are also included in their diet.
Other wild plants, including Oxalis, Blue Mistflower, and Lysimachia, are occasionally offered as part of their fresh food supply.
Diverse Diet for Wild Rabbits
In addition to wild grasses, various herbs such as perilla, basil, parsley, coriander, Cuban oregano, and mint are also provided to the rabbits. Fresh vegetables like different types of lettuce, Chinese cabbages, endives, sweet potato leaves, cabbages, Kyoto mizuna, arugula, goji leaves, celery, baby corn, komatsuna, garland chrysanthemum, mountain chrysanthemum, amaranth, and kale are also given to ensure a diverse diet.
Referring to the master's thesis by Peng Xu-yi on the diet and fecal microbiota of wild rabbits in different Taiwanese habitats, caretakers have also obtained branches of the plant Ehretia longiflora mentioned in the study to be offered as additional food.
Caring for Young Wild Rabbits Naturally
When providing fresh ingredients, caretakers avoid pre-washing them to prevent young wild rabbits from becoming accustomed to overly refined or processed foods. This helps maintain their natural digestive resistance to bacteria.
For safety, wild herbs are gathered only from clean areas untouched by pesticides or pollution. Vegetables come from organic sources to minimize pesticide exposure and ensure healthy feeding.
To provide a wide range of natural foods, caretakers not only forage in the wild but also cultivate various plants themselves. This combination of gathering and growing ensures the young rabbits receive a balanced, diverse, and safe diet.
Second Stage of the Hare's Growth
About 45 days after weaning, the frequency of weighing was adjusted to once every three to four days to minimize unnecessary contact. By this point, the small enclosure that had sheltered the young hare was becoming unsuitable — the growing animal now needed much more space and activity.
On November 8, when the young hare's weight reached 650 grams, volunteers carefully moved it to the second-stage training area, where it could continue developing its strength and natural instincts.
Phase 2: Outdoor Training for the Bunny
Spatial Arrangement: Second-Stage Training Ground
Although the second-stage training ground is also an indoor environment, its large open windows allow direct exposure to changes in weather and light. This design lets the young hares experience the brightness and warmth of sunlight while still remaining safe from predators.
The ground surface is covered with dry hay as a base layer, complemented by natural fallen leaves and branches. Potted plants are regularly replaced to help the hares recognize and adapt to different types of forage.
In addition to placing large tree trunks that provide natural hiding spaces, the training field also includes wooden structures that imitate natural burrows. These elements encourage the hares to explore, hide, and learn to navigate their environment safely.
Second Phase Training for Hares
After moving to the second-phase training area, caretakers focus on providing food, changing the water infrequently, and performing spot cleaning only when necessary. Because of the hares' strong wild nature, it becomes increasingly difficult for staff to approach them as they grow. Therefore, continuous weight monitoring is no longer carried out. Instead, the hares' health is assessed through observations of their eating habits, droppings, and camera footage.
At this stage, the training primarily prepares the hares for release into the wild. As their physical condition becomes stable, feeding practices shift away from daily provisions typical of their juvenile period. In addition to occasionally placing fresh food randomly in the area, the hares are encouraged to search for their own food among potted plants, dry leaves, twigs, and hay. This process helps them develop essential survival instincts.
The hares continue to exhibit healthy, large, and round droppings, along with consistent vitality. The design of the second-phase training area allows them to fully experience natural weather conditions and the daily cycles of day and night, preparing them for life in the wild.
Dietary Training for Wild Hares
After moving to the second-stage training ground, fresh food continues to be provided daily at the beginning. As training progresses, the frequency and quantity of fresh food are gradually reduced. This controlled reduction helps the wild hares develop their natural foraging instincts, encouraging them to eat dried leaves, hay, and other natural materials to satisfy hunger.
For drinking water, larger shallow basins are used, surrounded by bedding materials and dried leaves. This setup mimics natural puddles or wetlands, allowing the hares to practice drinking as they would in the wild. The water is replaced and refilled only at low frequency to further enhance the realism of the environment.
Observation of Wild Hare Behavior
Based on past research on wild hare behavior, young hares that have not yet been weaned tend to remain largely inactive during the day. They wait quietly for their mother to return at dawn and dusk to nurse them.
During the period when volunteers from the association cared for the young hares, it was observed that they typically hid motionless in the grass piles throughout the day, almost as if petrified. Only during dusk, midnight, and early morning did they cautiously emerge to explore their surroundings after confirming that the area was safe.
Observing the Activity Pattern of Wild Hares
During the care period, caretakers observed the hares' behavior through surveillance monitors and wildlife cameras. Dusk marked the beginning of their active hours, while their activity significantly decreased after sunrise. As the sun set, the hares emerged from their hiding places to move around.
Although hares are generally crepuscular animals—most active during dawn and dusk—continuous activity was observed throughout the night during the observation period. Their main feeding time occurred after sunset, when they energetically foraged for food. As dawn approached and the sun began to rise, their activity gradually diminished, and they stayed hidden for most of the day.
When fresh food was provided during the daytime, the hares typically waited until nighttime to eat. According to the recorded activity chart of the young hares, three distinct periods of heightened activity were clearly noticeable.
The Wild Energy of Hares
During the care period, caregivers could deeply feel the wild nature and vitality of the hares. Their explosive power was truly incomparable to that of domestic rabbits. Hares have a more slender build and remarkable jumping ability; we often describe Hare No. 8 as being able to "fly around" because just one of its strides covers several times the distance of a pet rabbit's.
This is also something that requires special attention when setting up a training enclosure. Because hares can jump extremely high, their environment must be fully enclosed on all sides to ensure safety. In video recordings, we even noticed that a hare's explosive movement could send it leaping past an ecological monitoring camera before the infrared sensor had time to activate—an impressive demonstration of its astonishing speed.
The moment a hare leaps across an automatic camera captures not only its physical strength but also a glimpse of the untamed spirit that defines its nature.
The Caution of Wild Hares
Wild Hare No. 8 tends to leave its droppings along the outer edge of the training field, while keeping a few fixed hiding spots on the inside. When its original hiding spot is disturbed or altered, the hare immediately relocates to a new one. For this reason, caretakers usually avoid approaching these hiding areas while cleaning the outer portions of the field, allowing the hare to remain completely still.
Volunteers from the Wildlife Preservation Association have maintained the hares' natural wariness exceptionally well. Even though the young hares are cared for daily by the same volunteers, they still refuse to form bonds with humans or any non-conspecifics. At the slightest hint of someone approaching, they bolt away in a rapid dash.
During the care period, volunteers intentionally preserve these wild instincts. This ensures that the hares can stay motionless to avoid detection by predators, and if danger does come close, they rely on their strong legs and remarkable jumping ability to make a swift escape. The moment they sense human presence, they instinctively spring into motion and flee at once.
Phase 3: Preparations Before Releasing the Bunny
Searching for a Release Site
Due to habitat loss, the Rabbit Lovers Association began looking for a suitable place to release wild hares from the very day Wild Hare No. 8 was rescued. The association has always hoped that once released, the young hare could successfully reproduce and sustain its population in the wild.
To achieve this, volunteers not only searched locations with past records of hare activity but also gathered information about any potential existing populations. Their search extended across wide regions — including the mountainous areas of New Taipei, Hengchun, Yangmingshan, Alishan, and Hualien — continuing until they could confirm the presence of established hare populations within a chosen release site.
Dedicated volunteers traveled through northern, central, and southern Taiwan to investigate every promising site in hopes of finding the perfect home for the rescued wild hare.
Setting Up Ecological Cameras in the Hidden Valley
After multiple rounds of exploration, literature comparison, and field surveys, volunteers finally selected a secluded small valley—completely isolated from human activity—as the planned site. The location met all the requirements for a natural habitat: it was far from human settlements, supported a native wild rabbit population, had well-preserved vegetation, visible traces of related wildlife, and very few stray cats or dogs.
Even better, the area lies within a piece of private land where several ecological experts reside year-round, eliminating concerns about hunting traps or other human disturbances. Once the site was chosen, volunteers installed automatic ecological cameras in hopes of capturing images of wild rabbits.
However, just as the volunteers had observed during their second-phase training sessions, wild rabbits move with incredible speed when they hop or dash. Often, they leap past the camera's field of view in an instant, leaving only a blurred trace or triggering the camera a moment too late. With the valley's wide expanse, camera placement could only be based on the most promising angles, so during the two-month recording period, no clear rabbit images were captured.
Despite the early challenges, the setup of ecological cameras at the planned site marked an important first step in long-term monitoring and habitat research.
Observation of Hares and Local Wildlife Ecosystem
The landowner, who is also an ecologist, mentioned that in the past, wild hares could be observed at a very close distance on this site. Unfortunately, due to recent renovations around the farmhouse, the hares have moved their activity range toward the outer areas.
The fauna in this region aligns with the typical assemblages reported in literature where hares are commonly found. These include the masked palm civet, crab-eating mongoose, Chinese pangolin, ferret badger, and Reeves's muntjac. During the visits, volunteers also observed traces of plants that had clearly been gnawed by hares.
Upon examining the surrounding vegetation, many plant species favored by the local hare population were identified. The area also features grassy patches and piles of stones suitable for shelter, along with a clean water source. Moreover, the risk of attacks from stray animals or human disturbance is extremely low, making this location an ideal final release site for the hares.
Note: The term fauna refers to the animal life or assemblage of species inhabiting a particular region during a specific period. It can also mean a comprehensive record or description of such animals, known as a faunal survey.
Arrow: marks left by hares after grazing on wild grass. Other wildlife recorded by the automatic camera include wild boars and malayan night herons.
Choosing the Right Time for Wild Release
When Hare No. 8 reached nearly one kilogram, it was finally old enough to be released into the wild. However, the season happened to bring heavy rain and a cold front. To increase its chances of survival after release, the association decided to avoid the harsh winter months.
Volunteers consulted the traditional farmers' calendar and its seasonal terms. They concluded that the best period for release would be between the Beginning of Spring (Lichun) and Awakening of Insects (Jingzhe). During this time, temperatures begin to rise, and nature gradually comes back to life. After Jingzhe, the plum rain season usually sets in, which can be challenging for newly released animals.
Among these solar terms, Rain Water (Yushui) was considered an ideal time — gentle rains nourish the land, and the weather becomes milder, providing a supportive environment for a young hare to adapt to the wild.
Pre-Release Simulation Exercise
To ensure everything would go smoothly on the day of the wildlife release, volunteers carried out a special simulation exercise a few days beforehand. They gathered on a grassy field near the association to rehearse the entire process step by step.
During the simulation, each volunteer learned their exact role, position, and sequence of actions, along with important safety precautions to observe during the actual event. Every possible scenario was taken into account—even the potential threat of birds of prey lurking in nearby trees and how to prevent any accidents.
Through this carefully planned rehearsal, the team ensured that the real release day would proceed efficiently, safely, and without a hitch.
Phase 4: Releasing the Rabbits into the Wild
Release Day: February 19, 2023 — The Rain Water Solar Term
Rain Water is the second of the twenty-four traditional solar terms, usually falling between February 18 and 20 each year. From this day onward, sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere gradually grows stronger and longer, signaling the slow return of warmth.
As the snow begins to melt, farmers prepare their fields for the coming season. The world awakens: spring returns to the land, and gentle breezes, like warm hands, sweep away the remnant chill of winter. Soft rains begin to fall, nourishing mountains and forests as new life emerges from the soil.
On this special day, the association also celebrates another kind of renewal — releasing little wild hares back into the mountains, returning them to their natural home where life begins anew.
Wild Rabbit No. 8 Returns to Nature
Based on the volunteers' caregiving experience and footage from monitoring cameras, early morning proved to be the most active time for wild hares. Therefore, the release time for Wild Rabbit No. 8 was set for around 6:00 a.m.
To ensure the release could be completed at dawn, volunteers gathered at 1:00 a.m. on February 19, 2023, at the Taipei Love Rabbit Home. With the little hare carefully prepared for the journey, the team departed and arrived at the secret release site at about 5:00 a.m. after a four-hour drive.
After confirming the location and completing brief preparations, the release began. The moment the young hare stepped out of its travel carrier, it bounded forward with large, confident strides and swiftly disappeared into the wild. At the time of release, Wild Rabbit No. 8 weighed 1.18 kilograms.
Without looking back, the brave little hare left the human world behind and raced toward its own boundless freedom.
(Release date: February 19, 2023)
Little Wild Rabbit No. 8's New Home
When Little Wild Rabbit No. 8 began to move, its chosen direction turned out to be completely different from what the volunteers had anticipated. Instead of heading toward the grassy area they had prepared, the rabbit dashed out, made a quick loop around, and—whoosh!—crossed the small stream, swiftly heading into another area altogether.
Afterward, the volunteers discussed the situation with local experts. To everyone's surprise and delight, the experts explained that the area where the rabbit had gone was actually an excellent location—more secluded, less disturbed, and rich in food sources.
Perhaps the rabbit instinctively sensed that this place was better, or maybe it felt that companions were waiting there. Either way, it ran with all its strength toward what could be its future home.
May Little Wild Rabbit No. 8 thrive freely in its idyllic new environment—surrounded by mountains, rivers, and fresh air. Without looking back, it leapt gracefully away from the human world, beginning life anew in a land of its own.
Project Reflection: The Wild Hare Experience
Through this complete experience of observing and releasing hares back into their natural habitat, caregivers deeply felt the stark contrast between domestic rabbits and wild hares. While the association's volunteers have previously rescued many pet rabbits—some indifferent to humans, others panicking and fleeing at the sight of people—the fundamental differences between the two species remain unmistakable.
Wild hares possess a strong, untamed nature and powerful, well-developed muscles. Even when raised in human care and surviving safely in captivity, the living environment created by humans continues to pose countless dangers for them. This experience was a vivid reminder that the instincts and needs of wild animals differ profoundly from those of their domesticated relatives.
Taiwan Hare No.8 in Training
Inside the Stage Two training area, volunteers often notice Hare No.8 standing upright and gazing out the window through the surveillance cameras. She always seems to be thinking about how to escape through it. Fortunately, the windows are set high enough that no extra reinforcement is needed for safety.
Even though she was raised under human care since infancy, the wild hare is still not suitable as a pet. The Taiwan Hare, an endemic subspecies native to the island, can only truly thrive when it returns to the forests and mountains. Allowing them to live and reproduce in their natural habitat is the core goal of conservation efforts.
Protecting their freedom and preserving their wild nature ensures that future generations of Taiwan Hares can continue to thrive where they belong — in the heart of Taiwan's woodlands.
About Tracking: Caring for Taiwan's Wild Rabbits
Regarding tracking: Most GPS trackers for wild animals currently on the market are too large to be worn by wild rabbits. As a result, the association is still exploring suitable tracking methods or devices for these animals. (If anyone is interested in developing such equipment, please get in touch!)
For the caretakers, this situation felt like a special kind of adoption—one without the opportunity for "adoption updates." Before releasing the rabbit back into the nature that truly belongs to her, everyone felt a mix of anxiety and hope. After the release, it also took some time for the caretakers to adjust to life without preparing fresh wild vegetables and grasses every day.
We send our blessings to the little wild rabbit and express heartfelt thanks to Wild Rabbit No. 8 and all the volunteers whose paths crossed in this meaningful journey. This period of care has been a rare and precious experience for both the rabbit and the volunteers.
The association will continue to build on the lessons learned from this experience and further contribute to Taiwan's Wild Rabbit Rescue Program—so that these beautiful creatures may continue to thrive in the mountains and forests of Taiwan.
