Rabbit’s Miracle Survival in Gozo

Imagine stumbling upon a creature that seems to defy the laws of nature. This is exactly what happened to local farmer, Joseph Xuereb, when he discovered a rabbit in his field in Għajnsielem, Gozo, with not one, not two, but all four of its legs snapped. The question on everyone’s lips: how did this rabbit survive, and what does its story tell us about the resilience of our island’s wildlife?

Joseph Xuereb, a third-generation farmer, was shocked to find the injured rabbit in his field. “I’ve seen many things in my years farming, but never anything like this,” he told Hot Malta. The rabbit, now named ‘Lucky’ by Joseph, was found with all four legs broken, yet it was still moving, trying to hop away. “It was as if it was defying the odds, fighting to survive,” Joseph recalled.

Lucky was immediately taken to the veterinary clinic in Victoria, where vets were equally amazed by the rabbit’s condition. Dr. Maria Grech, the vet who treated Lucky, said, “I’ve never seen anything like this. The breaks were clean, and the rabbit was in remarkable spirits, given its condition.”

X-rays revealed that Lucky’s legs had been broken for some time, yet they had started to heal. This suggested that the rabbit had been living with its injuries for weeks, possibly even months. The question remained: how did this happen?

Dr. Grech believes that the injuries could have been caused by a trap, or perhaps a fall from a height. “Rabbits are known to fall from trees or cliffs while fleeing predators,” she explained. Despite the severity of its injuries, Lucky managed to survive, hiding in the dense Maltese countryside.

Lucky’s story has sparked a conversation about the resilience of Malta’s wildlife. Dr. Grech noted, “This rabbit’s survival is a testament to the adaptability and toughness of our local fauna. Despite the challenges they face, they continue to thrive in our unique ecosystem.”

After weeks of intensive care and physiotherapy, Lucky is now ready to return to the wild. Joseph Xuereb, who has grown fond of the little rabbit, plans to release Lucky back into his field. “I want him to have a second chance at life, just like he gave us all a chance to marvel at his resilience,” Joseph said.

Lucky’s story serves as a reminder of the incredible survival instincts of our local wildlife. It also of respecting and protecting our natural environment. As Dr. Grech put it, “Every creature, no matter how small, deserves a chance to live and thrive in its natural habitat.”