Scientific substantiation of the european wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) content based on the analysis of zoos and nurseries of EARAZA (2004–2019)

The European wild rabbit – Oryctolagus cuniculus – is classified as Near Threatened (NT), which includes near-threatened species. This article presents an analysis of the dynamics of the number of individuals of the studied species in zoos and nurseries belonging to the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA). The list of cities that have a European wild rabbit in their zoos is given. The sex and age ratio of individuals of the studied species in the interval from 2004 to 2018 is indicated. According to the results of the analysis, a number of arguments are given in favor of the expediency of breeding the European wild rabbit in zoos and nurseries of EARAZA.