What do you think of when you picture a rabbit?
And shearing? Probably something like this? Right?
Well if, like me you find yourself with an hour to kill after exploring the magnificent Waitomo Caves, in the North Island of New Zealand, you will come face to face with THIS
Waitomo’s ‘The Shearing Shed’ have been specialising in German Angora rabbit products for more than 19 years.
Something of a tradition in New Zealand, the first official imports of Angora rabbits were made as far back as 1928. The precious Angora fibre proved to be popular, with many commercial ‘rabbitries’ springing up across the country. Unfortunately for those who had invested, rabbit farming was made illegal soon after the initial success.
The ban was not lifted until 1980 when the New Zealand government gave permission for breeders to import new rabbit stock, in the form of top quality German Angoras from Germany and Denmark.
When the industry returned many Kiwis were put off by what they saw as cheap, mass-produced Angora products flooding the market from China. Only one commercial German Angora rabbitry weathered the storm, ‘The Shearing Shed’ in Waitomo.
The task of shearing the rabbits for their fibre takes about ten minutes, with two rabbits sheared each day, usually to a crowd of giggling New Zealand tourists. The handlers talk their audience through the process and explain how the rabbits need to be sheared every three months or they will simply die of heat exhaustion.
The shearing process itself seems as well rehearsed as it is ridiculous. The rabbit, hogtied to a table by each limb seems relaxed enough and the handlers are keen to reassure visitors that the creatures are in no distress and are completely accustomed to the process. Still, the rabbit comes across with little dignity, if indeed a rabbit is even concerned with such things.
Some onlookers watched with their hands over their mouths in shock, while the ‘turning over’ part of the process seemed to get the biggest laugh.
The finished article looks pretty silly, but then so did the overly fluffy alternative. Any doubts we had over the ethical conflicts of the process were extinguished when we saw the happily hopping rabbit free of his cumbersome locks. Couple that with the news that this would be the one day of the growing and shearing cycle on which the Angora rabbits would mate and it’s difficult not to be happy for the newly shorn little fella.
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I laughed out loud when I saw the bottom shot. I love angora wool but have never really given it any thought on how we get it. Very cute photos.
I know, those tufty ears! Quite pathetic but still adorable.
My – it looks as if that one rabbit produces enough wool for a grown-up sweater. Impressive.
I laughed out loud when I saw that super fluffy bunny!!!
Funny how we all equate cheap anything with China.
That’s a lot of wool! I never would have guessed that they have to be sheared so often.
Okay, so how did those Kiwis get sheep (or maybe it was goats) to mate with bunnies? That’s what I want to know.
Ha ha, the mind boggles!
I had no idea that angora came from rabbits – can’t decide which photo is funnier, the one before or after the shearing.
Haha- I literally laughed out loud too after seeing the before and after- too funny!
My nose got itchy just looking at those photos! I’m glad the rabbit isn’t hurt in the process. 🙂
That after photo is priceless. I imagine it would be hard to see them tied down, but I agree they have to be shorn, the heat would be far too intense with all that fur.
This is priceless!
I’ve heard of Angora wool, but never thought it was actually from bunnies. The last pic is too funny 🙂
I Love New Zealand!
Hey guys, great article Natasha! Just stumbled across it as I was surfing finding more info about my bunnies. I now own these special little treasures, or rather large fluffy bundles of cuteness! They are now classed as an endangered species!
It honestly is the most humane way to remove their fibre. They are the only breed of angora that cannot shed it’s fibre. If you were to use scissors to remove the fibre it would take hours to get it short enough and if you didn’t have that contraption to hold them steady you would be restraining them on your lap and moving them in awkward positions that they do not like and all the time transferring your body heat to them making them hotter and more uncomfortable!
The fibre is 7 times warmer then sheeps wool! Imagine how hot they would get!
If you would like to see this unique attraction I have moved the shearing show to Roselands Farm Park up Fullerton road, the turn off is just meters from the original “Shearing Shed” in Waitomo and well sign posted. Only 2 minutes drive away. I do two shearing shows a day, 12.30 and 2pm with just a small charge of $2 per adult and $1 per child. At the moment I have kits (baby bunnies) here every day for cuddles.
A must see and uniquely unforgettable experience!
Hey thanks so much for updating us on the angora rabbits show Leonie! I think it’s a lovely experience and a great addition to a visit to the Waitomo region. I’m from Hamilton myself so very fond of this place 🙂
UPDATE! As from 31st March 2014 there will only be one rabbit shearing show every day at 11.30am.
Thanks for the update Leonie!
New Zealand – I love your wonderfully weird ways 🙂
You are so right Kara!
Attractive shearing shed.
Hi there Where do you sell the wool?
I was in this place around 2000. We were welcomed, I bring back home a small aposum we called hop joe the opposum. It was very appreciated by Kids
I’m glad you had a good time Thomas, and Hop Joe sounds like a wonderful souvenir.