Disturbing “Zombie” Rabbits Spotted in Wisconsin and Colorado

Reports of rabbits exhibiting unusual horn-like and tentacle-like growths have emerged in both Wisconsin and Colorado, prompting public health warnings. The alarming sightings involve rabbits with spiny protrusions that resemble quills or toothpicks emerging from their heads. This phenomenon has led to increased concern among local communities, with officials advising residents to maintain a safe distance from these animals.

The first confirmed cases in Wisconsin occurred in St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce, and Polk counties, where officials have documented eight reports involving a total of 23 rabbits. These incidents follow similar reports from Colorado, where residents have described the creatures using terms like “Frankenstein bunnies” and likening them to zombies from the popular HBO series, The Last of Us.

According to wildlife experts, the growths are caused by the Shope papillomavirus, a viral disease that results in wart-like tumors primarily on rabbits’ heads, ears, and eyelids. While the virus does not pose a threat to humans or pets, officials warn that the growths can lead to complications if they obstruct the animals’ eyes or mouths.

Local resident Susan Mansfield from Fort Collins, Colorado, shared her experience with an infected rabbit that has returned to her yard for two consecutive years. “I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn’t,” she told local news outlet KUSA. Another neighbor described the alarming growths as resembling a “scabbiesh-looking” crust on the rabbit’s face.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency confirmed the presence of the Shope virus in the affected rabbits and underscored the importance of avoiding contact with them. “The virus is believed to cause benign cancerous cells. While it’s not fatal, the growths can lead to serious problems,” the agency stated.

In Wisconsin, wildlife disease specialist Nancy Businga noted an increase in reports this year compared to the single case documented in the previous year. “Every year we get a few random reports, but there has been a slight uptick this year,” she said. The unusual growths are striking and may elicit fear in those unfamiliar with the condition.

The Shope papillomavirus is primarily transmitted by biting insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, which can carry the virus from one rabbit to another. Paul Lambert, an oncology professor at the University of Wisconsin, explained that the growths typically regress as the rabbit’s immune system combats the infection. He emphasized that although the condition appears alarming, it is not a new issue; rather, it has garnered more attention due to the striking appearance of the affected animals.

While the Shope virus does not pose a direct threat to humans, rabbits can be carriers of other diseases, such as tularemia, commonly known as rabbit fever. Residents are advised not to touch or feed the infected animals, regardless of their appearance.

This unusual outbreak coincides with reports of other “zombie” animals across the United States. In states including New York and Pennsylvania, deer afflicted with a condition known as deer cutaneous fibroma, or “deer warts,” have also been observed. This condition, similar to the Shope virus, is spread by insects and has been noted to increase this summer.

In a related phenomenon, European spiders have been dubbed “zombies” due to a parasitic fungus named Gibellula attenboroughii, which consumes the spiders from the inside, leaving only their exoskeletons behind. This unsettling behavior of the fungus was captured in a BBC nature series filmed in Ireland.

As these unusual occurrences continue to capture public attention, wildlife officials emphasize the importance of observing these animals from a distance and refraining from handling them to prevent potential health risks.