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.
In this cycle, we’re going to have a look together on how cats and dogs are doing around the world. Where they are pampered and people forego them and where, to the contrary, the pets suffer and their situation is critical. Today, I will introduce you...
Especially outdoor cats are often suffering from ear mites. What is it actually, and how to get rid of it?
In this series, we will get to know famous dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let’s take a look what they have already achieved during the time of our lives together. With his determination, Balto saved lives of many people...
Everyone likes to take their four-legged friend along with them on a holiday, but the situation just won’t allow it sometimes. Not all the dogs take well to long trips by car or high temperatures, or are A graders in obedience, some are habitual...
Already since about 100 thousand years ago, when people started with domestication, we have been aware of positive effects of living together with animals. And this doesn’t concern only healing methods. Already the very presence of our pets helps us to...
If you have a cat at home, you have certainly encountered the issue of who will take care of it at times. Especially now, at the time of holidays and departures for vacations. Relatives or friends are not always able to come over and to take the cat...
I have already written about dangerous foods for dogs. But how about cats?
All of us probably know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs. However, did you know that you can poison your furry friend even with nuts, for example?
The time of kittens is getting closer. Outside, however, the kittens may lose their mum from various reasons. Besides, people will start getting rid of unwanted family arrivals. So it can easily happen to you, that you will find little cat new-borns....
Do you know, that you can insure your pet? But does it even pay off, what does the insurance cover and what are the conditions?
You may have already met a dog with a tied yellow ribbon on its collar or on its leash in the street. Did you know, that it is not a fashion accessory, but a message for the passers-by?
Rabbit hopping is a relatively young discipline that is quickly gaining new fans. After all, rabbits are virtually born for jumping, so why not use it for both their and their master’s entertainment.
