Dunedin Farm is an excellent place to look for Riverine Rabbit, although sightings are not guaranteed. Other species of interest include Large-eared Mouse, Spectacled Dormouse, Karoo Rock Sengi and Le Sueur’s Wing-gland Bat. This 2021 guide updates my 2016 report and includes data from 13 nights over 3 trips (19-22 March 2016; 6-11 March 2018 and 9-14 March 2021; the first two trips with Clide Carter). The Mammal Checklist (List 1) shows 51 native species recorded and is based on records by the Moolmans, myself and other mammal-watchers (as indicated). List 3 notes the 2 species introduced. List 2 describes 17 species that are possible and/or known in the region. The 13 species on the reptile list are my records only.
Edited (2021): I revisited the site in 2018 (again with Clide Carter) and in 2021 and a post summarizing all 2016-2021 data replaces this 2016 post. Species lists and other site information have therefore been removed from this 2016 post. Records in 2016 of Round-eared Sengi and Long-tailed Serotine are retracted in the new post.
Summary: Dunedin Farm offers excellent potential to see the rare, endemic Riverine Rabbit. After a visit to the nearby Karoo National Park, my father (Clide Carter) and I booked a night at the Riverine Rabbit Retreat on Dunedin Farm (Western Cape, South Africa). We had low expectations of seeing the Riverine Rabbit but after some pointers from Johan Moolman (the farm owner) we had great views of one before sunset; and saw another two with Johan the next morning. We extended our stay for another two nights once we realized the potential for other smaller mammals and reptiles. Our trip total of 17 mammals included Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, Cape Sengi and Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare. This trip report morphed into a site guide as there is nothing else published and I believe it is most likely the best place to look for Riverine Rabbit.
Riverine Rabbit
Riverine Rabbit
Dunedin Farm and Riverine Rabbit Retreat Dunedin Farm is a working farm owned by Johan and Marietha Moolman. They and their two sons are very keen on the local wildlife and were extremely helpful in giving us a detailed rundown on all the species and locations that they knew of. Manus (13) is especially keen and a local authority on the resident birds which include some Karoo specialties. Continue reading →
