Displays in the fossil Hall show that in prehistoric times this area of the Karoo was wet and marshy with an abundance of wild animals. The focal point of the displays is the fish fossils, the most unique of which if the Atherstonia seeleyi, a fish from some 250 million years ago. The natural history exhibition includes a display on the riverine rabbit, an endangered species found in the Victoria West region.
The town of Victoria West was founded in 1843, when the Dutch Reformed Church bought a portion of the farm Zeekoegat from the estat of Mr J.H. Claasens. The town was named after Queen Victoria, but to avoid confusion with an Eastern cape district of the same name, the “West” was added at a later stage.
The town of Victoria West was founded in 1843, when the Dutch Reformed Church bought a portion of the farm Zeekoegat from the estat of Mr J.H. Claasens. The town was named after Queen Victoria, but to avoid confusion with an Eastern cape district of the same name, the “West” was added at a later stage.
Source: https://museumsnc.co.za/new_site/regional-museums/victoria-west-museum/
It is estimated that only 250 of these riverine rabbits are still alive.
Their survival depends on the farmers in the area, as indicated on the below map.
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