Spanish Nuns Save Giant Rabbits From Extinction

At a quiet convent in Toledo, Spain, nuns spend their mornings in prayer, their afternoons making homemade sweets, and every spare moment caring for 76 adorable giant rabbits they're helping save from extinction.

The San Antonio de Padua convent houses 36 adult Spanish giant rabbits and 40 babies, making it one of the country's most vital breeding centers for a species on the brink. By 2024, only 67 purebred breeding females remained in all of Spain.

Sister Consuelo Peset leads the effort, having cared for these animals for three decades. When her parents first brought her two of the rabbits, she had no idea they were endangered.

"We've always had them at home," she told El Pais. Once she discovered how critically threatened they were, she convinced her entire community to join the rescue mission.

The convent obtained permits from local authorities and built a small farm. Now they partner with Madrid's Complutense University on a project preserving the rabbit's genetic purity and preventing inbreeding.

These aren't just any rabbits. The Spanish giant rabbit once played a crucial role feeding families during the Civil War and postwar years when food was scarce. But when industrial farming embraced medium and hybrid breeds in the 1970s, the giant rabbit population collapsed.

"Many families have managed to get by thanks to this animal, and now it seems we are forgetting that part of our history," Sister Consuelo explained. She believes the breed deserves recognition for the role it played in Spain's survival.

The Ripple Effect

The sisters' commitment goes far beyond sentiment. They spend up to €7,000 annually on feed and medication alone, all while maintaining their religious duties and small business making traditional sweets and ice cream.

Their work represents something larger than saving one species. It's about preserving living history and honoring the animals that helped Spanish families endure unimaginable hardship.

The nuns groom each rabbit's coat daily, monitor their health carefully, and ensure genetic diversity in every breeding decision. Their scientific partnership with the university means this labor of love is also cutting-edge conservation work.

Sister Consuelo's warning is simple but urgent: "If nobody gets involved, there will come a time when the species will be lost." Thanks to these devoted women, that time hasn't come yet, and 76 giant rabbits are proof that faith, science, and dedication can rewrite even the grimmest predictions.