Spanish Nuns Save 20-Pound Giant Rabbits From Extinction

Eleven nuns at a Spanish convent are raising 20-pound rabbits to save a piece of history from disappearing forever.

The Franciscan sisters at the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua in central Spain care for 35 Spanish Giant Rabbits, a rare breed that fed countless families during the Spanish War. Sister Consuelo Peset Laudeña says these massive animals kept orphanages and households alive during brutal food shortages.

"Many families have managed to get by thanks to this animal, and now it seems we are forgetting that part of our history," she told Global Sisters Report.

The sisters have raised rabbits for over 30 years, but their mission took on new urgency a decade ago. When Peset sent photos to a conservation association, they delivered shocking news: her rabbits were endangered.

She partnered with local authorities to establish a proper breeding farm, raising $5,700 for the initial investment. The operation has grown significantly since then.

Each day, the sisters feed their charges a mix of barley, hay, and corn while maintaining temperature-controlled cages with proper ventilation. Peset walks through the facility daily, checking for sick or lethargic animals.

"Rabbits start to suffer at 79 degrees Fahrenheit," she explained. "They tolerate the cold well, but not the heat."

The Spanish Giant Rabbit is a crossbreed between Flemish Giants and Spanish brown rabbits, first developed in the early 1900s. Each female can give birth to 22 pups monthly, and adults grow as large as small lambs.

By March 2025, the convent recorded 90 births. The numbers represent genuine hope for a species that nearly vanished.

The Ripple Effect

The nuns don't sell their rabbits. Instead, they donate them to local schools, a nearby theme park, and registered private breeders who can continue conservation efforts.

Their work extends beyond preservation into education, teaching new generations about Spain's agricultural heritage. Students learn hands-on about animal care while connecting with their country's wartime history.

The sisters credit Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' for deepening their commitment. In that message, he called Catholics worldwide to protect creation and care for the environment.

"We have to protect creation," Peset said. "We are Franciscans. St. Francis is the patron saint of veterinarians, and that is the source of the love and admiration we feel for the Spanish giant rabbit."

What began as simple animal husbandry three decades ago has become a living lesson in remembering where we came from and protecting what sustained us.