Overview

• Colorado Parks and Wildlife has verified that wart‐like, horn-shaped growths on Fort Collins cottontail rabbits are caused by the rabbit-specific Shope papillomavirus.
• The agency has received over a dozen reports of infected rabbits but cannot yet determine how many distinct animals are affected.
• Wildlife officials emphasize the virus poses no threat to humans or non-rabbit pets and advise against handling any wild rabbits.
• Pet rabbits face a higher risk of severe disease and invasive carcinomas, and owners are urged to seek veterinary care if their animals show growths.
• Social-media claims of similar cases in Minnesota and Nebraska remain unverified pending confirmation from wildlife authorities.