Myxomatosis is raging: brown hares in danger! Animal protection warns against hunting!

Myxomatosis is raging: brown hares in danger! Animal protection warns against hunting!

A serious outbreak of myxomatosis has severely affected the populations of wild rabbits and hares in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland since the beginning of June 2025. According to a report by oe24 Hundreds of dead animals were examined at the Research Institute for Wildlife and Ecology (FIWI, Vetmeduni). The data obtained from this shows a massive burden and weakening of stocks, which has a direct impact on the game trade.

Although the hunting season officially began on October 1st, no brown hares will be taken in this year. Direct marketing must be rejected as urgent due to the epidemic situation. Tierschutz Austria emphasizes that hunting brown hares is irresponsible in the current situation. The surviving animals are usually resistant or immune, which is crucial for future population conservation. Hunting would endanger the healthy remaining population and thus make reconstruction more difficult.

Consequences for hunting and populations

Conservation is now absolutely necessary to prevent further weakening of the population. According to the experts at FIWI and the hunting association, the myxomatosis virus is not considered dangerous for humans, but there is still a certain residual risk. Driven hunts are classified as biologically irresponsible because they increase stress on the remaining animals. Events like the “Hare Feast” are currently being sharply criticized because they are based on irresponsible hunting practices.

The spread of the myxomatosis virus illustrates an alarming development in Central Europe. A current study shows that the virus, which comes from the smallpox virus, has established itself in brown hares. Routes of transmission are not yet fully understood, but it is believed that human activities through goods transport and tourism may contribute to the spread, as well ljv-sh reported.

The first infections in brown hares occurred on the Iberian Peninsula in 2018. In the years that followed, the populations were significantly depleted, with a mortality rate of up to 90%. Transmission routes are mainly through biting insects such as mosquitoes, fleas and ticks and through direct contact between animals. In addition, the virus can also be spread through objects or clothing, making it particularly contagious.

There are currently no effective treatments or vaccines against myxomatosis in brown hares, further exacerbating the situation and making the future of hare populations uncertain. Since the population density of hares itself does not have a decisive influence on the spread of the virus, measures for population monitoring and hygiene are of utmost importance for hunters.