This Rare ‘Magic Rabbit’ Was Spotted For The First Time In 20 Years And It May Soon Be Lost Forever
Prepare to fall in love and have your heart broken at the same time: this adorable creature that you’ve probably never heard of, the Ili Pika, is also one of the rarest and most endangered creatures in the world. Their population in their native China is estimated to have dropped to less than 1,000, and these photos are of the first one that has been spotted in 20 years.
The Ili Pika was first discovered in 1983 in the Tianshian mountains in northwestern China, but its estimated population has dropped by 70% since then. These adorable teddy-bear look-alikes, which are a distant relative of rabbits, are so rare that scientists know very little about them.
Li Weidong, the conservationist who discovered them, told CNN, “I discovered the species, and I watched as it became endangered. If it becomes extinct in front of me, I’ll feel so guilty.” He and his volunteers have dubbed it the ‘magic rabbit,’ but they suspect that its populations may be declining due to global warming.
More info: CNN (h/t: dailymail)
This Ili Pika was spotted for the first time in 20 years
He and his volunteers have dubbed it the ‘magic rabbit’
“I discovered the species, and I watched as it became endangered. If it becomes extinct in front of me, I’ll feel so guilty,” – Li Weidong
Li Weidong, the man who discovered and works to monitor the Ili Pika
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Is that a real animal? Adorable! Apparently they don't actually breed like other rabbits?
Americans accusing China of being the most abusive to animals. Look at your American meat industry. It's an animal holocaust!
both Nations are abusive to animals, no need to place blame of animal cruelty to any one place it is rampant all over the world
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Chinese hunted them; Chinese also protected them. It is not meaningful to group a diverse population into the over simplified "Chinese."
Please state your source for the Chinese hunting these.
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For all the curmudgeons out there - this article is about a rare animal a conservationist is keeping an eye on for future generations.
I really hope this beautiful little creature does not become extinct. We need more Beaty in this world, not the ugliness we have.
IIi Pika (Magic Rabbit) Is the cutest rare animal I seen in a long time!
Stop pointing fingers, hes allowed an opinion-it wasnt a hate speach, focus on the article & how humans have destroyed everything instead
d**k_noorlander, they would have found the destruction of poachers by now. He has studied them for over 20 years.
Most stories and petitions I receive are from China...http://www.thepetitionsite.com/608/554/710/put-a-stop-to-live-animals-in-keychains-and
Yes it is in fact real just very rare "hint read the article, the whole article".
If you read the article, it says they are disappearing due to global warming. He doesn't mention people (of any nationality) killing them.
They suspect that to be the reason.. The word suspect is pretty important.
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can't they capture it and breed it in captivity like they do with other endangered animals?
I think it is a nice photo montage. I can make a horse rabbit as well lol
Is that a real animal? Adorable! Apparently they don't actually breed like other rabbits?
Americans accusing China of being the most abusive to animals. Look at your American meat industry. It's an animal holocaust!
both Nations are abusive to animals, no need to place blame of animal cruelty to any one place it is rampant all over the world
Load More Replies... Chinese hunted them; Chinese also protected them. It is not meaningful to group a diverse population into the over simplified "Chinese."
Please state your source for the Chinese hunting these.
Load More Replies... For all the curmudgeons out there - this article is about a rare animal a conservationist is keeping an eye on for future generations.
I really hope this beautiful little creature does not become extinct. We need more Beaty in this world, not the ugliness we have.
IIi Pika (Magic Rabbit) Is the cutest rare animal I seen in a long time!
Stop pointing fingers, hes allowed an opinion-it wasnt a hate speach, focus on the article & how humans have destroyed everything instead
d**k_noorlander, they would have found the destruction of poachers by now. He has studied them for over 20 years.
Most stories and petitions I receive are from China...http://www.thepetitionsite.com/608/554/710/put-a-stop-to-live-animals-in-keychains-and
Yes it is in fact real just very rare "hint read the article, the whole article".
If you read the article, it says they are disappearing due to global warming. He doesn't mention people (of any nationality) killing them.
They suspect that to be the reason.. The word suspect is pretty important.
Load More Replies... can't they capture it and breed it in captivity like they do with other endangered animals?
I think it is a nice photo montage. I can make a horse rabbit as well lol
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