CAUTION: RANT ALERT
When it comes to a stance on the Canmore rabbit issue, there are plenty of lovers and haters but most just toe the line, unsure of a right course of action.
Extremes on both sides of the issue tend to go a little something like this***: http://vimeo.com/27588379.
Yet the majority of people change camps regularly depending on the cuteness of the last baby bunny they saw, or how long it has been since they raked up three garbage bags full of rabbit crap out of their yards or cut down another dead, rabbit-eaten tree.
A solution to the infestation (these animals, after all, are NOT part of the natural local ecosystem and are having a noticable effect on it) is necessary, yet each time a potential answer is proposed and real action is imminent, animal activists and feral rabbit fans from all over the valley drum up their fightin’ words and drown Town Council in tears over the sacred lives of these poor varmints.
No one, especially not me, wants to be the one to send the little guys up to the warren in the sky, but we’ve all seen and heard of the devastation to whole ecosystems when feral rabbits are allowed to reproduce at will (Australia, Kelowna, Victoria, Helsinki…the list goes on). Canmore is just one of many places to experience the effects of out-of-control rabbit populations.
So what do we do about it?
Because Canmore is sandwiched between a National and a Provincial Park, and is situated in the middle of a vital wildlife corridor, it falls on the townspeople and the local government to be responsible for protecting the wild animals and plants that share this space. Many feel that this includes the aforementioned rabbits. The problem is that, as we should all know by now, the Canmore bunnies are NOT wild animals. Today’s bunnies are the descendants of house pets that were released 30 years ago by short-sighted local residents who, for whatever reason, chose to no longer take care of them, and have only survived to this day by the grace of the rabbit gods.
The fact is they are an invasive species that are putting local native species at risk; some say their abundance creates potential for significantly increased human/wildlife conflict with the likes of coyotes, cougars and owls by enticing them into town for an easy meal. To a coyote’s nose, the smell of bunny is apparently a lot like the smell of those little donuts at the Stampede: totally irresistible. But it is yet to be seen whether this is true. At this writing, I’m unaware of any actual stats on predators being brought into town SPECIFICALLY because of the rabbits. (If you have stats, let me know!)
More Than Two Sides to the Story
Apparently rabbits are evolving into squirrels in Canmore. Photo by KD.
Advocates for removal of the rabbits are generally looking at the long-term effects of their behaviour, and believe the town should do damage-control today in order to prevent further damage to the environment and to the health of local residents in the future. Potential for disease, wildlife encounters within town, environmental degradation, and the health concerns related to an overabundance of rabbit feces are the main focus of this group’s concerns. Not to mention the potential for astronomic population explosion in this species, potentially creating a much bigger and more widespread problem in a very short time.
On the other end of the spectrum are firm believers that extermination is an inhumane and unacceptable solution to the problem. Those in this camp suggest some alternative solutions to eradication (such as neutering and relocation) that, although they may come at a significantly higher financial cost, will save the town a potentially tarnished reputation as “the town that killed the bunnies,” (a favorite slogan touted by many a visitor who “loves to look at the cute rabbits” when they come to town—twice a year for two days).
On another note, there is certainly a long list of better ways that we could spend the money than killing rabbits. Have better ideas? Let them be heard!
The only thing everyone seems to agree on is that the things are disgustingly cute. There are not many things in this world that rate higher on any cuteness scale than a troupe of baby bunnies popping the heads off dandelions and munching away, happily.
Creative Solutions
In short, some say let them be, while others say let them be history. Some of the more creative solutions inspire either laughter or a general sense of fear for one’s own well-being:
1. Have By-law enforce a MINIMUM speed limit of 100km/hr within town limits.
2. Capture, neuter and release them into a rabbit sanctuary.
3. Capture, humanely exterminate, and then feed them to other hungry animals on local ranches and/or bird sanctuaries who have offered to take them.
4. Support eating locally, and add them to the menus of our fine local restaurants.
5. Leave them alone and let “nature” take its course. (This solution will invariably result in locals continuing to trap and transport them to the outskirts of town, or into a neighbourhood near you. Maybe even to Banff?)
These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to creative solutions being thrown around at local watering holes. Other ideas involve shotguns, releasing neutered barn-cats, night-vision goggles, poison, sling-shots, and/or buried explosives. Makes euthanasia sound like a walk in the park, no?
Highline will surely keep you in the loop with all the drama and intense action that promises to go down tonight. Stay connected to the latest news from the Town of Canmore, found here. To join the fight against eradication of the feral rabbit population, or to donate to the cause, check out “Save the Bunnies” here.
Afterthought
After writing this post, I was challenged to ask myself the question: would I expect a little in-bred pet shih-tsu to survive the Rocky Mountain winter without any food or shelter? Is it HUMANE to allow them die of starvation and freezing? This is precisely what we are doing by standing by and watching this man-made, pet bunny species try to eke out a living in a harsh climate, with no winter food, and with such an abundance of predators and threats to its health. Guess it’s not exactly humane to keep them alive here, either. ***Thanks to Marj Gibney for sharing the video link!
