Lots of rabbit lovers choose this breed mainly by its appearance. The cuter, the better. But maybe they don’t know that a certain kind from the order of lagomorphs lives in nature, and hardly any domestic rabbit can match it in its cuteness. The same way as once chinchilla used to be, today, the Ili pika is almost an extinct species.
Ochotona iliensis, that is the Ili pika is not only probably the cutest rodent, but also one of the most endangered animals in the world. During the past 20 years, the number of individuals of this species declined rapidly (about 70%) and it was considered to be essentially extinct. Today, their population is estimated at less than one thousand and continues to decrease.
The Ili pika belongs to the order of Lagomorphs. It looks like a cousin of the rabbit with short rounded ears and bright-coloured fur. It was discovered in 1983, and due to its rarity, we know only very little about it. It grows to about 20 cm and feeds on plants that it leaves to dry for the winter. We know almost nothing about its way of life. Thanks to this, it is also sometimes nicknamed the “magic rabbit”.
In May 2014, the naturalist Li Weidong, the original discoverer of this species, managed to find the first Ili since its discovery in Northwest China and also one of the last living Ilis ever.
Since due to the global warming Ili is moving to increasingly higher mountain places of the Tian-Shan mountain range in the Xinjiang province. The glaciers are disappearing and the eternal snow remains only at increasingly greater heights. While formerly, the Ilis live at the altitude of around 3,000 m a. s. l., today we won’t find them lower than 4,100 m a. s. l. and they basically have nowhere further to go. This, together with air pollution, is the reason that they’re dying out.
Unlike the authorities, who are doing virtually nothing for their rescue, Li Weidong has been financing research from his own resources and he is trying to save the species. So far however, there are no known measures that would help save the Ili pika, so it’s possible, that they might become extinct only several decades after their discovery. That is even sooner than we even manage to get to know this species at all. We can only hope that the Weidong’s effort will not come in vain and in the end, the Ilis will survive.
According to some estimates, around 5-10 percent of all dogs can be partially or completely deaf. Apparently, dogs with white coats are more prone to deafness. Even though it does not affect only older dogs, it is not a topic that is often discussed....
Nowadays, it is common for town cats as well as village cats to be castrated. The reasons are understandable and people have fortunately moved away from the old-fashioned tradition of drowning kittens. But what to expect from castration, especially in...
It is said that a dog is a man's best friend Recent research therefore tends to focus on how dogs think and what they perceive during specific moments. The diversity of their thinking is based on the fact that dogs have gradually become involved in...
Fetching is a favourite activity for many dogs. Some dogs have it in their genes. Others must be shown how it is done before they start enjoying it. As with all other commands, positive motivation and rewarding are important. How to go about it?
The Czech Republic had the honour of taking on the host role and providing a venue for the World Dog Show organised for exhibitors, breeders and dog breed enthusiasts. It was agreed among the visitors that the event was successful. As a venue for the...
Do you find it hard to decide when there's so much to choose from? If you're like me, it's best to try out the harness first before you buy it for your four-legged friend. Today, the selection of dog harnesses is truly varied. There are harnesses for...
Autumn is here. And with it comes the flu season. Colds and other ailments associated with this time of the year do not only affect people, but also their four-legged friends. Especially widespread and highly dangerous in case of non-treatment is the...
Breed registry, pedigree, bonitation, bonitation card or bonitation commission, exterior, breeding certification - these are all terms that you will inevitably encounter if you want to have a 'certified' dog, namely a dog with a pedigree. What...
These little creatures, which we have adopted as full-fledged pets, the same as cats and dogs, are much more interesting than seems at first glance. What are the five peculiarities associated with the most numerous order of mammals, which every...
Gastric torsion is the nightmare of all dog owners. According to statistics, in three out of five cases gastric torsion happens at night. This is a very serious illness with a mortality rate of 30-40 percent. In order to prevent gastric torsion, it's...
The events of recent weeks have reaffirmed the importance of cynologists in rescue teams. The rescuers' four-legged partners help search not only in rubble after natural disasters but also track missing or injured persons in inaccessible terrain. Now...
How to give first aid to your pet? We often don't find out until something happens. Fortunately, there are more and more courses for complete laypersons. During these specialized seminars or webinars, owners of four-legged friends can find out the...
