News Release

Southeast Arizona National Parks Warn Visitors to avoid Wild Rabbit Carcasses

Desert Cottontail

NPS Photo/Cookie Ballou

News Release Date: June 9, 2020

Contact: Helen Fitting, 520-824-2347

Willcox, Ariz. - The National Park Service is asking visitors to take caution and not to approach wildlife, especially wild rabbits, and to keep pets on a leash at all times. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) has been detected in Cochise County and is likely to occur in the Southeast Arizona Group National Park Units including: Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Chiricahua National Monument, and Coronado National Memorial.

RHDV2 is a highly contagious and lethal viral disease among domestic and wild rabbits. The virus does not infect humans, but other causes of illness and mortality of rabbits can. The public is instructed to remain cautious and to follow the instructions below to protect themselves, pets and rabbits while in the park.

If you see sick or dead rabbits in any of the Southeast Arizona Group National Park Units:

• Do not touch or handle the animal.
• Contact the Park Wildlife Program office by calling 520-824-2347 as soon as possible.
• Provide the following information: Date observed; species if known (cottontail, jackrabbit, other), specific location; and a photo is helpful.

Protect Your Pets:

• Keep dogs on a leash of 6 feet or less.
• Do not allow dogs or other pets to interact with sick or dead rabbits, or other wildlife.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, RHDV2 is considered a foreign animal disease, meaning the disease is not typically found in the United States and is a threat to domestic and wild animal health. This virus is not related to the coronavirus causing COVID-19 in humans.

This virus can be transmitted among rabbits through contact with an infected rabbit, with body fluids or feces from an infected rabbit, or with a contaminated environment. The virus can survive on clothing, plant material, or other items that may be accidentally moved from an infected area. Before visiting other wild areas, wash clothing and disinfect footwear.

Rabbit owners should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidental exposure of rabbits to this disease. Domestic rabbits should not be housed outdoors in areas where contact with wild rabbits is possible. Contact your veterinarian for more information about this disease in domestic rabbits.

To report disease in wildlife throughout the state of Arizona, call the Arizona Game and Fish
Department at 623-236-7201. For more information about RHDV2 visit:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc