Mon, March 5, 2007

Bunnies a big problem in Canmore
UPDATED: 2007-03-05 16:53:35 MST

Town surveying residents on how to deal with rabbits

By DOUG MCINTYRE, SUN MEDIA

They’re cute, cuddly, and they wreak nibbling havoc wherever they hop.

Such is the quandary Canmore finds itself in amid an ongoing invasion of rabbits, with officials in the mountain town 100 km west of Calgary currently surveying residents to determine their views on bunny control, said Mayor Ron Casey.

“We need to know whether euthanization is even an option,” said Casey, who estimated more than 50% of residents want the furry hoppers left alone.

“We all know if you leave only two, chances are good you’re going to have more.”

The bunny plague started about 15 years ago when a few pets were released into the wild, with the ever-multiplying critters since turning Canmore into a real-life version of the classic tale Watership Down.

“I’ve heard people throw out numbers of 1,000 rabbits, but I think that’s a little light,” said Casey.

“It’s been an ongoing nuisance is the best way to put it.”

How to handle the influx has become an emotional issue in Canmore, with a Grade 6 class presenting a petition in favour of keeping the rabbits around.

The animals’ voracious grazing habits spell trouble for native plant species, prompting complaints from many residents who have seen their lawns and gardens gobbled up.

The rabbits also provide a plump snack for coyotes and foxes, leading to artificially high numbers of these predators around town.

“If rabbit numbers decline suddenly, the predators can turn their attention to native prey, causing hyper-predation impacts on native animals,” said Casey.

Rabbit Issue - Surevey by the City of Canmore
http://www.canmore.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=667