Nuns from the San Antonio de Padua convent in Toledo are participating in a project to save the endangered Spanish giant rabbit by collaborating with the Complutense University of Madrid.
The nuns at the San Antonio de Padua convent in Toledo have been involved in breeding the Spanish giant rabbit for the past 30 years. Recently, they have joined a project in collaboration with Complutense University of Madrid that aims to prevent inbreeding and preserve the purity of this endangered breed. This effort is significant as there are only a limited number of purebred Spanish giant rabbits left in the country, with reports indicating just 67 reproductive females in 2024.
Inside the convent, one of the key figures leading this conservation effort is Sister Consuelo Peset, a nun with deep roots in the Albacete region, who was raised among these rabbits. The project not only ensures the survival of this historically and genetically important breed but also merges traditional monastic life with modern conservation efforts. The nuns blend their daily routines of making sweets and ice cream with this vital work of animal husbandry.
As these nuns intensify their efforts with the project, they embody the intersection of faith, tradition, and environmental stewardship. Their commitment contributes significantly to the conservation of the Spanish giant rabbit and serves as a model for other similar initiatives across the country, highlighting the importance of local efforts in biodiversity and species preservation.
