07/06/2026
Meet Pixel 🐰
Pixel is a baby scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis) who was brought to us after suffering a severe leg injury caused by a snare. Unfortunately, the fracture was so badly shattered that it could not be repaired surgically, and amputation was the only humane option.
Following surgery, Pixel surprised us all. Once the source of his pain was removed, he quickly began eating, exploring, and showing us his feisty personality. It was clear that he was finally feeling much better.
Because scrub hares depend on incredible speed and agility to evade predators, a three-legged hare cannot safely be released back into the wild. Pixel will therefore remain in permanent human care, where his welfare and quality of life can be monitored and maintained.
Did you know?
🌿 Scrub hare babies are called leverets.
🌿 Unlike rabbits, leverets are born fully furred, with their eyes open, and are able to move around shortly after birth.
🌿 Mother hares hide their babies individually in grass and vegetation and visit them only briefly to feed, usually around dawn and dusk.
🌿 If you find a lone baby hare in the veld, it is usually not abandoned. The best thing to do is leave it where it is and keep pets and people away. Its mother is likely nearby and will return when it is safe.
⚠️ Wild hares do not make good pets and should never be removed from the wild unless they are genuinely injured or in immediate danger.
Pixel's story is a reminder of the devastating impact snares can have on wildlife, but also of the remarkable resilience these animals possess when given a second chance.
