Post by Andrea on Jun 17, 2006 15:55:43 GMT -4
This is something recent we are dealing with here in BC.
If you click on the link, there is a TV Interview "Alan Waterman Repotrs" and the "Bunny Rescue Group" they talk about is SARS BC, and then there is a Radio interview with Dave Semple, Director of Parks out there. I think he had some positive things to say.
www.cbc.ca/nl/story/bc_bunnies-richmond20060616.html
It seems there are two victims here.... the Farmers and the Abandond Bunnies. All these problems b/c of uneducated people buying rabbits and 'getting board' with them and thinking they are disposable
I feel in the TV Reprt, adn this write up they are blaming the bunnies, when really it is all the old owners who should be responcible.
If you click on the link, there is a TV Interview "Alan Waterman Repotrs" and the "Bunny Rescue Group" they talk about is SARS BC, and then there is a Radio interview with Dave Semple, Director of Parks out there. I think he had some positive things to say.
www.cbc.ca/nl/story/bc_bunnies-richmond20060616.html
B.C. bunnies 'wreaking havoc'
CBC News
Many small farms in southern Richmond have been overrun by hungry rabbits which are chewing their way through vegetable and berry crops.
Hordes of rabbits have invaded farms in southern Richmond. (CBC)
Richmond Coun. Harold Steves estimates there are about 5,000 bunnies in the fields, with one farmer losing produce worth about $30,000.
Steves said the rabbits are descendants of pets dumped at the Richmond Nature Park over the years. This year, he said the population has exploded and the bunnies have spread to nearby farmland.
Steves said so far, there is only a preliminary plan to deal with the rabbits.
Richmond farmer Bill Zylmans says he's lost about $30,000 worth of produce to the rabbits. (CBC)
"We lined up one trapper, but in my discussions with staff, it looks like we're going to need probably a dozen trappers," he said.
Steves said there's also the problem of what to do with the rabbits once they're caught,
Some farmers have shot rabbits, but they've been told they are breaking a city bylaw. There have been calls for a cull, but Steves said so far, that isn't being considered.
Food bank could suffer
A small farm which gives all its produce to the Richmond Food Bank is in danger of losing everything to the rabbit invasion.
"What we're really afraid of is that we will not have produce to give to the Richmond food bank," said Sharing Farm volunteer Joan Glossop, noting that they donated 18,000 pounds of produce last year.
Polly Ng, who also works at the Sharing Farm, said the rabbits have to be culled to protect the crops.
"It's going to be hard sell, but I think it's necessary because they don't belong in this ecosystem. They are wreaking havoc ecologically and economically, so I say we do need a bunny extermination program."
CBC News
Many small farms in southern Richmond have been overrun by hungry rabbits which are chewing their way through vegetable and berry crops.
Hordes of rabbits have invaded farms in southern Richmond. (CBC)
Richmond Coun. Harold Steves estimates there are about 5,000 bunnies in the fields, with one farmer losing produce worth about $30,000.
Steves said the rabbits are descendants of pets dumped at the Richmond Nature Park over the years. This year, he said the population has exploded and the bunnies have spread to nearby farmland.
Steves said so far, there is only a preliminary plan to deal with the rabbits.
Richmond farmer Bill Zylmans says he's lost about $30,000 worth of produce to the rabbits. (CBC)
"We lined up one trapper, but in my discussions with staff, it looks like we're going to need probably a dozen trappers," he said.
Steves said there's also the problem of what to do with the rabbits once they're caught,
Some farmers have shot rabbits, but they've been told they are breaking a city bylaw. There have been calls for a cull, but Steves said so far, that isn't being considered.
Food bank could suffer
A small farm which gives all its produce to the Richmond Food Bank is in danger of losing everything to the rabbit invasion.
"What we're really afraid of is that we will not have produce to give to the Richmond food bank," said Sharing Farm volunteer Joan Glossop, noting that they donated 18,000 pounds of produce last year.
Polly Ng, who also works at the Sharing Farm, said the rabbits have to be culled to protect the crops.
"It's going to be hard sell, but I think it's necessary because they don't belong in this ecosystem. They are wreaking havoc ecologically and economically, so I say we do need a bunny extermination program."
It seems there are two victims here.... the Farmers and the Abandond Bunnies. All these problems b/c of uneducated people buying rabbits and 'getting board' with them and thinking they are disposable
I feel in the TV Reprt, adn this write up they are blaming the bunnies, when really it is all the old owners who should be responcible.
