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This highly transmissible viral disease affects only rabbits and wild hares. It is however very easily carried and transmitted by dogs, cats and other small animals on the surfaces of their feet, or in their saliva. Bird of prey and scavenger birds who eat contaminated dead rabbits or hares can also transmit the virus on their feet or beaks. The virus remains virulent for up to 4 months. Yes, this sounds like Rabbit and Wild Hare Covid.

We spoke a state veterinarian, Dr D. Mpofu about the outbreak in the Chartwell-Farmall area and surrounds. He advised on the following: People who keep rabbits should wash their hands before going into and out of the rabbit enclosure, or before handling rabbits in the case of those rabbits kept in a cage. Pet rabbits can be immunized, at a cost of around R700 per rabbit. The Bryanston Avian and Small Animal vet can assist in this regard.

Wherever possible, we also need to ensure that owners of domestic rabbits care for them responsibly and do not allow them to roam free, as this quickly escalates into a situation where there is a large population of feral rabbits, and this places the indigenous hares at greater risk of RHD. Not related to RHD, but still a consideration, carnivorous birds such as owls also feed on these feral rabbits as easy prey, and this disrupts their natural preying habits.

To safeguard wild hares in the area, any dead rabbits or hares found should be burnt or should be buried well below ground level and where their carcasses are not at risk of being dug up by rats or dogs, as these animals will spread the virus in their droppings.

Kindly advise Chartwell Conservancy of any dead hares or rabbits by emailing chartwellconservancy.eco@gmail.com, or via whatsapp to Françoise, on 082 886 7730.

It would be great if sightings of healthy wild hares could be posted on the Conservancy Whatsapp group.

These African Scrub Hares form an important part in the biodiversity of the area, and need to be preserved!

Dr D. Mpofu can be reached for any additional information or advice, on 071 543 3028.

On 22 July 2023,  Jan Praet gave a wonderful presentation and is keen to work with the Conservancy going forward to help create “butterfly corridors”. He is the author of the book Gardening for Butterflies in Johannesburg and heads up Gardening4Wildlife.

His book focusses on 20 specific butterflies which we can easily attract to our Johannesburg gardens. The last three copies of the book were up for grabs at the event and it has now sold out! If you can get your hands on a copy it is a wonderful addition to any book collection. Good news: he is starting work on a new edition.

Click below to see a general summary of the talk. If you have any questions or are looking for guidance please get in touch with the Conservancy team at chartwell.conservancy.eco@gmail.com
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The late Bill Quinn was an avid birder and he often wrote for the Chartwell newsletter of the time "The Chartwellian". In this 1992 edition he writes about feeding birds in winter and publishes a list of all the birds he has spotted in Chartwell. It makes for a fascinating read.

Also in the newsletter Sue Hatfield, the Treasurer at the time writes: "So far, 1992 has seen few residents "doing their bit" for Chartwell and parting with their R30 subscriptions."

> Read the newsletter

This is a copy of the assignment which the late Bridget McHarry produced for Chartwell in 1997. She thought it would be of value in gaining a better understanding of this beautiful area. Although she was very modest and didn't show this work to everyone, her daughter Kerry has granted us permission to publish it on our website.

> Read the Chartwell Environmental Study