El-ahrairah

El-ahrairah (El-ahrah in the TV Series) is a rabbit who lived long before Hazel and the rest of the Watership Down Warren were born. He was the Prince of the Rabbits. He lived with his trusted sidekick and captain of the Owsla Rabscuttle, and his people, in a state of peace with the rest of the animals of the World. Until one day, when the rabbits' reproduction increased out of control, Lord Frith told El-ahrairah to maintain their numbers steadily, but El-ahrairah told Frith that his people are the strongest in the world.

Lord Frith saw this as arrogance and told El-ahrairah that if he didn't control his people, that he would do it. So, he gave a gift to every animal in the forest. However, with these gifts came predators such as the dog, the cat, the wolf, the hawk, the fox and the weasel. To each of them, Frith gave them the desire to hunt and kill El-ahrairah`s people. Then Lord Frith bestowed a gift upon El-ahrairah and his people. El-ahrairah was running when Frith came to see him, for he knew that Frith was upset with him. However, Frith gave him the gifts of speed, cunning, digging, and a good sense of hearing, and he told him that his people no longer cover the world, but as long as they used the gifts he gave to them, they will never perish.

It is said that he takes the dead Chief Rabbits to join his heavenly Owsla, as was the case with Hazel. His name is Lapine for "Prince with a Thousand Enemies".

El-ahrairah who was the first of the rabbits to walk the earth appears to have transcended into an immortal spirit that watches over all his descendants. In the present, some rabbits claim to sometimes hear his voice that warns them of danger and guides them to safety.