The Strange Tale of the UK's "Giant Rabbits"

One of the weirder articles I've written, it starts like this...

Well, after a number of articles from me on the menacing Men in Black, ominous Black Eyed Children, UFO conspiracies, and diabolical monsters, it’s time for a bit of light relief. And, no, the title of this article is not a joke! Nor is it April 1st! The United Kingdom is indeed home to “giant rabbits.” At least, it is in a very strange and surreal fashion. As you read on, you’ll see why. And how. I’ll begin with a story from a good mate of mine, Jon Downes. He’s the director of the UK-based Center for Fortean Zoology, a full-time group dedicated to the study of unknown animals. We’re talking about Bigfoot. About Nessie. About the Chupacabra. And, yes, about those “giant rabbits” too.

Jon’s story dates from the late 1970s, when he was valiantly hanging onto the final months of his teens. From a friend named Mike, Jon received a startling story, one which was focused on an area near to where Jon lived at the time: Powderham Woods, located in the English county of Devon. It was while walking through the woods that Mike encountered something remarkable. In Jon’s own words: “Mike had been hunting for chestnuts when he was startled to see what looked like a rabbit, was shaped like a rabbit, and even hopped like a rabbit – it just happened to have been about three feet tall! I sat back slightly dazed. Mike was one of the most reliable witnesses that I have ever had the honor to interview, and he had just told me a spiel of utterly bizarre nonsense. It just didn’t make sense.”

Huge Hares and Beastly Bunnies!

Check out Dr. Karl Shuker's excellent new article on giant-sized rabbits and hares in the UK. Karl makes the interesting point (and I suspect he's right on target) that some reports are likely due to mistaken identity. As for what people may be seeing: wild wallabies, of which there are a number of significantly-sized colonies in the UK.