The municipality of Richmond is on the hunt for a contractor to humanely capture, sterilize, and re-home the thousands of feral rabbits that have overrun the city. An estimated 3,000 rabbits are running rampant, prompting experts to warn that British Columbia could be on the verge of a bunny boom unless local governments implement a comprehensive management plan.
Population Explosion and Nuisance
According to a procurement document recently issued by the City of Richmond, the rabbits—abandoned pets and their offspring—have been an increasing nuisance over the past several years. They damage trees and grass in public parks and have moved into residential neighborhoods, where they munch on flower gardens and vegetable plots. The document notes that the city recognizes complete eradication is neither realistic nor likely, but it requires a population management plan to significantly reduce the prevalence of feral rabbits on public lands and in areas where they adversely impact adjacent private properties.
Expert Warning
Sorelle Saidman, founder of Rabbitats Rescue Society, who has been on the front line of rabbit rescue in B.C. for more than two decades, warns that the city's approach amounts to "cherry picking" and will be unsuccessful in stopping the spread of the invasive species to other communities. "You're looking at a fairly substantial issue over the next decade in all municipalities if you don't address this," she said.
Saidman first became involved in rabbit rescue in 2010 when the University of Victoria was overrun with about 1,500 rabbits. After that, she helped remove 400 rabbits from the Richmond Auto Mall, trapping them and housing them in an empty dealership. Attempts to leave a few rabbits behind quickly led to the population becoming out of control again, convincing her that the only way to get a handle on the problem is an all-or-nothing approach. "If you have two rabbits spotted, you have to pick them up, or you'll soon have more," she said.
Causes of the Boom
The Richmond procurement document attributed the explosion of rabbits to a "very high reproduction rate," lack of predators, suitable habitat for denning, and the propensity of some residents to feed them mixed vegetables, despite bylaws forbidding it. Over the years, Rabbitats has moved rescued rabbits to several farm sanctuaries, including in North Vancouver, Langley, South Surrey, Aldergrove, and Chilliwack. After sterilization, the rabbits are housed in a simple enclosure to keep them contained and deter predators.
Challenges and Solutions
But Saidman said finding space continues to present a challenge because many municipal animal control programs don't take rabbits, and volunteer groups don't have the resources to find or rent more space on local farms. "We're run off our feet," she said. "I think the rescues are burnt out."
In a statement, the B.C. SPCA said it supports the humane capture, sterilization, vaccination, and rehoming of healthy feral rabbits and "hopes that humane, innovative solutions to a lack of shelter space are possible."
