A tragic image of a rabbit standing watch at a roadside after its mate has been killed by a car, shows the true companionship of the rodent.

Rabbits, like humans, can form very close bonds with their mates.

The Bunny Burrow Rabbit Rescue said the black and white rabbit, who they named Maslow, and his matching mate were set free during March by an “irresponsible owner” who didn’t want them anymore.

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Unfortunately, Maslow’s mate didn’t survive for long in the wild, and was soon tragically hit by a car and killed in the middle of a Californian road.

But her partner stayed by her side.

A photo taken by rescuers shows Maslow sitting alert a few metres away from her, keeping watch over her body.

Rescuers said Maslow was “very distraught” when he was first spotted.

They said when rabbit mates are separated, or if one dies, the survivor can become very depressed and even stop eating.

One of the rescuers recovered the body of the female rabbit, who they named Hope, the gave her a proper burial.

Although Maslow ran away from rescuers, he later returned to the street to look for Hope.

Fortunately, Maslow still had a shot at a happy life.

Right after he was taken in, he was adopted by the woman who helped lay his mate to rest.

He was introduced to her two rabbits and is enjoying the welcome company, rescuers said.