A young wild Cottontail Rabbit died in the Backyard and I was privileged to share its final hours. When one spends a lot of time with wild animals it is hard not to find inspiration in the dignity and stoicism they display in the face of severe injury or death. This rabbit had a one-eyed sibling that is was very close to – they and their family are shown in happier times toward the end of this video. The events shown in this video happened over approximately two hours. These rabbits are relatively rare Appalachian Cottontails and live at near 4000 feet elevation in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
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To address some common comments – most viewers watch less than 3 minutes of the video according to YT stats. If you watch it all you will see the rabbit was capable of leaving me at any time and did so after about 10 minutes real-time. It was when I came back to check on him that it was obvious the rabbit was terminally ill. These rabbits are very habituated to humans over many generations and just like the squirrels of the Backyard the human element of constant presence and feeding becomes part of their ecology so they have no fear of humans who behave in a consistent familiar friendly way. This rabbit and I were well acquainted. However, they remain wild animals and if one were to suddenly behave differently and try to grab and hold them and put them in a box etc. they would experience extreme stress and scratch, kick and try and bite with every ounce of remaining energy to avoid being captured. Thus taking a wild animal like this rabbit to a vet that is far away was never really a consideration due to the stress – although it would have been nice to give it a shot to put it to sleep faster. This particular rabbit was born in spring 2016 and died last October 2016 it was very cold and windy that day. It had a sibling with only one eye that it seemed to have a special bond with. They are shown in happier times at the end of the video. There are many rabbit videos on this channel a playlist of some is at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9ODW2GQ3n8IFIxQVZNEhrZc_lX_DWECY
I tend to talk to animals in my presence while filming or watching them – little ones I call "little buddy" big ones like bears and elk I call "big fella" but always in a non-excited sort of low key monotone this they seem to understand is non-threatening – they have no idea what I'm saying of course but they are looking for non-threatening consistent behavior. There is a time an place for screaming and yelling but I've never had to do that.
I certainly gained more from this experience than the unfortunate rabbit – you can learn a lot about life by being humble and paying close attention to animals and this was a special experience.
BB
If it was up to me, i would have eaten it
Good job man. You got Heaven creds on this one!
Should of put it out of its misery.
This reminds me of when my rabbit died, he was sick and we couldn't do anything except staying with him till he died
"Here you go… no one wil bother you here." —except me, of course, while I film it.
Why was this just recommended NOW?
Aww how cute. Also pretty sad and happy too. Now he/she gets to go to heaven
Eat it.
Not to say that he didn't do the right thing or anything I just think, that he probably should of put it out of its misery when he noticed the wound on its side, also I think the wound may have been a gunshot wound.
Awww….
Most beautiful video I ever seen
Lovely man but why didn’t he just kill it in a humane way instead of watching it die slowly?
I watched this video 2 years ago. I'm very glad that Youtube's algorithm is giving it recommendations. Truly a remarkable connection between human and animal.
Death is so interesting oh I just wanna know what it is like to die I get so excited thinking about it
Looks delicious
Damn why I’m crying always
Dear Sir,
You are a truly beautiful human being for this
Next time just snap his neck and expedite the process.
I am a Realist, do you know what a phone, call a vet, explain situation. The vet may say bring it in, so I can take a look. If the bunny is dying the vet will put it to sleep.
You rather sit there and watch a baby bunny suffer for two hours, then dies.
Animals can not say "Help Me Please"
When my Angel ( female puppy/she 5) and needs help, she comes to me and we figure it out together.
You are an absolute angel on earth. God bless you! ❤️
When He Literally Laid It To Rest. My Heart. I’m Sitting Next To My Cat And I Can’t Imagine Seeing Her Die One Day. The Peaceful Deaths Where You Stay With Them Until The Last Breath Are The Hardest To Deal With Because You Have Time To Reflect. So Much To Say And Think, So Little Time. Especially When It’s Silent Like This Situation. The Rabbit Isn’t Vocalizing. It’s Most Likely Contemplating Its Life As Well. It’s Like Trying To Breathe, But Holding It In. Because That Next Breath, Could Be Another’s Last.
Why am I crying rabbits die everyday
now make a fur coat out of it and immortalize it forever.
Who came here cause of stoopidgod
F
Damn onions. Spongebob get them outta here!
Did you eat the fella?
So sad cause i think of my 4 yrs chinchilla that died from a disease 2 weeks ago
Rabbit stew for dinner…?
You are a saint thank you for helping him. I would have done the same. You are a true American.
I'm more happy than I am sad, if you think about how rough a rabbits life can be and how gruesome they can die then you can appreciate that whatever this little dude was dying from caused a lot of trouble for him. Him just being able to die with head pats and ear scratches really restores your faith in humanity. Rip lil homie, I hope that whatever happens after death is treating you well
Hullo hooman. My time has come
Why dint you Jjst put it out it’s Missouri
Im not crying you are?
WHY AM I CRYING
You are the first person that actually cares about rabbits, I have one and people have told me they want to eat it and it is sickening to hear that. Thank you for being such an amazing person, I bet that rabbit had the best last moments of it’s life. Thank you. You really are gods saviour.❤️
THIS IS SADD
Seen the hashtag watership down? spectacular movie and post://
[ everyone liked that ]
My rabbit died horribly today and i can't stop thinking about it. How can something so adorable die in such a painful way but she's living peacefully up there now and I'm happy her pain is over.
How can 2.2 thousand people dislike this
I saw a hare ? two days ago, evening – in the middle of the street ( big city)
I saw foxes ? many times on the streets of the city but never ??before