NEW ZEALAND EXTINCT MUTATION BREED
The Bonnet pedigree New Zealand guinea pig breed was formally declared extinct in 2024.
after nearly two decades of absence from the fancy. However, today there is extraordinary new hope. A recent, miraculous discovery has changed everything. With the sudden location of a surviving Bonnet boar, a collaborative preservation project is now officially underway to rescue and rebuild this unique Kiwi pedigree breed for future generations.
The ultimate goal of this preservation project is to breed a stable, healthy population, with the strategy of officially upgrading their status from Extinct to Critically Endangered when the milestone numbers are achieved. It marks the beginning of a new dawn for one of New Zealand's most remarkable pedigree cavies.
The Whangārei Mutation
Developed in the late 1990s by senior cavy judge Ethel McKeown (Nemora Cavies) in Whangārei, the Bonnet was a true New Zealand innovation born from a spontaneous genetic mutation. The breed was defined by a beautiful "organised chaos", a complex coat of reverse hair growth, ruffles, and rosettes that culminated in its signature "bonnet" of hair falling gracefully over the eyes.
The Danger of Extinction
For over 15 years, the Bonnet completely vanished from the New Zealand cavy scene, serving as a sobering reminder of how easily our homegrown Kiwi breeds can be lost forever without a dedicated recovery platform. Now, with a surviving cavy located, this historic chapter is being rewritten. It highlights the vital importance of dedicated preservation breeders stepping in to rescue our rarest, most vulnerable Kiwi bloodlines before they disappear from history completely.
BREAKING NEWS FROM THE SHOW BENCH
A Bonnet cavy officially appeared in the Pet Section at the combined New Zealand Cavy Club and Capital Cavy Club shows in Foxton! This is the incredible, real-time discovery that has changed the trajectory for this heritage line.
While one single cavy does not save a breed—meaning the Independent Cavy Clubs will maintain the Bonnet's official Extinct status for the immediate future, there is immense hope on the horizon. The boar's owner, Michelle, and our team member, Olivia, are officially joining forces to initiate a managed breeding program using this pivotal boar to bring the Bonnet breed back to life.
This grassroots conservation effort will require several generations of careful, highly specialized breeding. Please monitor this page for official updates and join us in wishing Michelle and Olivia the very best of success on this monumental journey.
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