🛑 The Lop Rabbit "Saga" in South Africa: Why Your Dream Bunny is a Project (Not a Purebred)

The floppy ears and gentle nature of the Lop rabbit are instantly captivating. Yet, if you are searching for one in South Africa, you must be aware of an urgent issue: a market being exploited by unethical sellers, compounded by a major biosecurity threat.

Here is the essential truth:

There are currently no true, standardized, established Lop breeds being ethically sold in South Africa today.

🚨 The Critical Disease Barrier and the RVHD2 Threat

The primary reason for the lack of established Lop breeds is South Africa's stringent biosecurity, which aims to protect our animals from deadly foreign viruses.

South Africa was historically free of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD/RVHD) and Myxomatosis. This led to a permanent ban on the importation of rabbits to prevent these diseases from entering the country.

The Situation Just Got Worse:

In late 2022, the highly virulent strain, RHDV2, was officially confirmed in South Africa.

The virus caused widespread mortalities in wild hares and domestic rabbits across several provinces (including the Western, Northern, and Eastern Cape, and later Gauteng).

The source of entry for RHDV2 is still under investigation, but it is strongly suspected to be from illegal importation—a reckless act that directly exposed all of South Africa's rabbits and hares (including the endangered Riverine Rabbit) to a lethal threat.

The ban on importing rabbits remains firmly in place.

This health crisis underscores why any claims of having imported, "pure" Lops are both untrue and potentially linked to illegal activities that endanger the entire South African lagomorph population. 

🐰 The German Lop Revival: A Dedicated Project, Not a Product

The only Lop rabbit variety originally available in South Africa, before the strict border closures, was the German Lop (Deutsche Widder). No other Lop breeds (such as the Holland Lop, Mini Lop, or French Lop) have been legally introduced to establish pure lines.

Dedicated, ethical breeders are working tirelessly to revive and stabilize the remaining German Lop genetics. This is a commendable effort, but it is a multi-generational process:

They are a "Project Breed":

The rabbits currently being bred are part of a foundation stock or project line. Breeders are meticulously working towards meeting the international German Lop standard.

Below a picture of a Project Breed Lop

Decades of Work Required:

It takes significant time, effort, and integrity to reach a point where these animals can be classified as truly standardized or "purebred."

💸 The Scam: Unethical Sellers and Astronomical Prices

Despite the clear facts and the devastating biosecurity risks, unscrupulous breeders are actively misleading the public.

False Advertising: They market cross-breeds or unproven project stock as "True Lops" or "Purebred Lops" with zero genetic verification.

The R3,500 Lie:

They are demanding exorbitant prices, often R3,500 or more, simply because Lops are rare. This inflated price does not reflect quality; it is a clear indicator of a seller exploiting high demand and low public knowledge.

⚠️ Stop the Exploitation:

If someone claims to be selling a "True" or "Purebred" Lop for R3,500, they are either uninformed or, more likely, an unethical seller trying to profit from a breeding line that is still, at best, a foundation project.

How to Be an Ethical Rabbit Guardian

If you wish to own a Lop-type rabbit, protect your wallet, protect your pet, and support genuine efforts:

Do Not Pay Inflated Prices:

Refuse to pay R3,000+ for an unverified Lop. You are only funding the unethical market and incentivising dangerous practices (like illegal imports).

Look for Transparency:

Seek out breeders who are openly members of a recognised breed society and are transparent that they are working on a "project breed" or "foundation stock." They will never use the words "purebred" or "true" without a major caveat.

Prioritise Biosecurity:

Ask your veterinarian about the new RHDV2 vaccines (now available in SA) and commit to strict biosecurity to protect your rabbit and the wider population.

Support the breeders with integrity, and refuse to empower those who are exploiting the community and endangering the nation's rabbit population for a quick R3,500.

This is a true to type German Lop.