Spanish nuns are saving a breed of giant rabbits from extinction

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In Castile-La Mancha, Spain, a group of nuns at the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua are working to prevent a special, large breed of rabbit from disappearing forever.

So, Spanish Giant rabbits are basically a mix between the super-sized Flemish Giants and the regular brown rabbits you’d find around Spain. Apparently, breeders started crossing them way back in the early 1900s to get these massive bunnies!

These animals can grow to be about the size of a small lamb and yield up to 15 pounds of meat. During the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, when food was limited, this meat was a vital source of nourishment for families. They also breed very quickly, often having litters of 16 to 22 offspring.

Even though they’re incredibly large, these rabbits are now in danger of disappearing forever. Luckily, a convent in Spain is working hard to save them.

Spanish nuns lead conservation efforts for rare giant rabbit breed

I was so surprised to read this! Apparently, three of the eleven nuns at the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua are taking care of 35 huge Spanish giant rabbits! They’re hoping to help the rabbit population grow, which is really sweet. It’s such an unusual story, but I love that they’re dedicating their time to these animals.

This project began over thirty years ago when Consuelo Peset Laudeña received two rabbits from her parents. Initially, they bred the rabbits locally, but after learning the species was becoming extinct, they changed their focus to conservation efforts.

She explained to the Global Sisters Report that after she sent photos to an organization, they informed her she had a remarkable animal that was also facing extinction.

So, the nuns and I decided to try and save this rabbit breed, and we got permission to build a little farm right on the convent grounds. It started with about $5,700, but it’s really taken off! Now, every rabbit has a full family history, and they’ve got tons of space to run around – it’s a pretty awesome setup, honestly.

The Convent is now also breeding a unique white type of cow, though it’s not yet an officially recognized breed, according to Peset. To support this work, the nuns bake and sell pastries and ice cream.

Peset, a trained veterinary assistant, believes maintaining this dog breed is important for protecting Spanish heritage and upholding cultural traditions.

She explained that many families once relied on this animal, but we’re now in danger of forgetting that important part of our past. As Franciscans, we have a duty to protect all of creation. St. Francis, the patron saint of veterinarians, inspires our deep affection for the Spanish giant rabbit.

The nuns lovingly care for the rabbits, and they’ve even shared some with schools, theme parks, and breeders nearby. This helps teach people about the rabbits and keeps the program going.

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2026-05-06 23:19