Auckland Council’s ecologists apparently didn’t anticipate that the wild rabbits from around the Western Springs lake would feed on the newly planted seedlings where the former forest once dwelt, and therefore needed to cull the rabbits.
There are several problems with this. The consequences of Auckland Council using ‘preferred contractors’ is that they can get complacent and do not do the professional level of job that a contractor hungry for follow up work might do. And the consequences of a wild rabbit pest control shoot in a reserve where domestic bunnies have been dumped is that the public might not respond favourably.
New management of reserves at Auckland Council however has meant more friendly ears from the public servants in charge than we experienced during the battle to save the forest ecosystem. Community concerns were heard and they agreed to postpone the shoot for five weeks to allow time for rescues to occur. This was not an easy job and took many attempts. Volunteers were not armed with thermal imaging goggles that the paid shooters use which can identify the shape different between the thin wild rabbits and the ‘butterball’ shaped domestic rabbits.
The rescue group were aware of at least six dumped pet bunnies in the park. Deno and Caleb caught two in two consecutive morning rescues. After spending $2 million to get rid of 200 ‘colonial trees’ and killing 15,000 natives in the process, this cull now includes 27 rabbits. We have been assured that none of those shot were domestic and we’re waiting for the photographic proof.
In the meantime the real vermin, the rats, have increased in numbers and were even bold enough to do a wee ‘dance’ for the cameras when the media filmed the rescue group.
Gael Baldock, Community Advocate
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