TIMARU -- Live rabbits with deformed ears have been found in the Mackenzie Basin and elsewhere in Canterbury, and the deformities may be linked to the rabbit virus RCD.

Ministry of Agriculture spokeswoman Debbie Gee said yesterday that MAF had appointed a scientist to research the phenomenon, which included reports of rabbits with shorter ears than usual, and even some with just stumps.

She would not speculate on whether MAF believed the ear deformities were linked to RCD.

"There are a number of theories about what is happening. It could be a side-effect of RCD, or it could be predators nibbling ears of rabbits weakened by the virus.

"It might be nothing to do with the virus at all -- we just don't know."

Canterbury Regional Council biosecurity team leader Graham Sullivan said in Timaru last night that he believed the link between the ear deformities and RCD could not be discounted.

Mr Sullivan said he and his officers had not seen any sign of the phenomenon in the Mackenzie but he did know of reports from North Canterbury.

"I've heard of rabbits with ears that have just flopped over through to ones with just stumps."

He had heard reliable reports that the incidence of ear problems was about 1 in 25 rabbits on one site in North Canterbury.

"Neither I nor any of the other officers have seen anything like this in 25 years -- it seems too much of a coincidence that it could be occurring independently of RCD."