Kudos to those wise and compassionate volunteers who are working to remove the feral rabbits from the median at the Helmcken/Trans-sa国际传媒 interchange. A pox on the people who have kept the rabbits fed, enabling the bunny population to grow in a totally unsuitable place.
The not-so-grassy strip along the highway is a clear illustration of 鈥渂reeding like rabbits.鈥� The bunnies have multiplied considerably over the past couple of years, and the damage to the turf and shrubbery is evident. It was not an area designed to be rabbit habitat in the first place, but the furry critters have flourished because well-intended but utterly thoughtless people keep bringing them food.
It鈥檚 not a particularly good life for the rabbits. They are hemmed in by pavement; to venture outside their limited territory entails a high risk of being smashed by vehicles. They have stripped the grass down to the roots and have dug holes all over the median. Their high numbers increase the chance for disease.
Those who bring food to the rabbits put themselves and others in danger 鈥� it鈥檚 a high-traffic area. 鈥淣o littering鈥� and 鈥淣o stopping鈥� signs have been put up, but the bunny-feeders appear to be as illiterate as they are ignorant of sound environmental practices.
Veterinarian Laurie Gaines and University of Victoria law graduate Erin Gray approached View Royal council in February with a plan to trap, sterilize and relocate the rabbits, but they need to have temporary housing arranged before they can begin. Donations have been pledged for the $10,000 to $20,000 needed to trap, neuter and relocate the rabbits.
It鈥檚 good work they are doing, but it鈥檚 too bad misguided bunny-lovers have made it necessary. Let鈥檚 hope that in the future, the median can stay free of rabbits, and people will not let cuteness cloud common sense.
