UVic to expand rabbit cull
UVic is looking to reduce the campus rabbit population to approximately 200 rabbits, according to the recently released long-term Feral Rabbit Management Plan.
The plan will establish rabbit-free zones outside of Ring Road, and a rabbit control zone inside. The rabbit control zone will be made up of four quadrants that will each be reduced to a population of about 50 rabbits. Before the initial cull began in May, UVic’s rabbit population was estimated at between 1,500 and 1,600.
Under the new plan, rabbits outside Ring Road, or in excess within the control zones, will be either culled or sterilized and relocated. Rabbits will continue to be culled using live traps and euthanization. The university is relying on community organizations to orchestrate any sterilization and transportation programs.
The university will focus on removing rabbits from outside Ring Road first.
According to Tom Smith, UVic’s executive director of facilities management, the university contacted community organizations and individuals who had said they may be able to assist in relocating rabbits to sanctuaries or other spaces. All of these spaces would need to be approved by the Ministry Environment. So far, the university has been approached by one such facility that is able to take 20 rabbits.
Smith said the long-term plan includes the option of a sterilization program once the university moves on to managing the rabbit control zone in 2011. UVic is also hoping to receive proposals and volunteers to help manage the rabbit control zone and establish feeding stations. He said if no volunteers come forward, the university will have to reconsider its plans for the rabbit control zone.
People who are interested in obtaining permits from the Ministry of Environment to relocate rabbits can find more information on the process and requirements at uvic.ca/rabbits.
Radical rabbit facts: --
- Rabbits are not rodents; they are lagomorphs
- Rabbit meat is all white meat
- When rabbits are happy, they will jump and twist; this is called a binky
- When rabbits grind their teeth, they make a noise similar to a cat’s purr
- Only European rabbits dig burrows
- The gestation period for a rabbit averages 31 days
- Rabbits eat their own night droppings, called cecotropes, for added nutrients
18 Comments
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Susan July 8, 2010, 4:34 p.m.
So far, the university has been approached by one such facility that is able to take 20 rabbits.CorrectionHi Kailey My MOE permited charity, EARS, responded to the university's invitation and is currently working toward sanctuary placement of hundreds of rabbits at the end of this month. We recently received 9 rabbits living under the huts targeted for demolition and are prepared to take an additional 16 in the days coming. We are looking to the community to support our endeavors. Visit: www.earthanimalrights.org to learn more.
Susan July 8, 2010, 4:34 p.m.
So far, the university has been approached by one such facility that is able to take 20 rabbits.CorrectionHi Kailey My MOE permited charity, EARS, responded to the university's invitation and is currently working toward sanctuary placement of hundreds of rabbits at the end of this month. We recently received 9 rabbits living under the huts targeted for demolition and are prepared to take an additional 16 in the days coming. We are looking to the community to support our endeavors. Visit: www.earthanimalrights.org to learn more.
Tami Smith-Daniels July 8, 2010, 8:38 p.m.
if no volunteers come forward, the university will have to reconsider its plans for the rabbit control zone. UVic keeps making this statement, and yet, despite the fact that there are literally hundreds of people who would be happy to volunteer standing by, they have not put in place an application process to be able to do so... Writing directly to the University in the past has proven to be useless. How can they claim that no-one has stepped forward with an interesst in helping? I, and many people like me, have done so repeatedly! Community support is there, and the University persist in ignoring it, because it is an inconvenient truth...Tami Smith-Daniels July 8, 2010, 8:38 p.m.
if no volunteers come forward, the university will have to reconsider its plans for the rabbit control zone. UVic keeps making this statement, and yet, despite the fact that there are literally hundreds of people who would be happy to volunteer standing by, they have not put in place an application process to be able to do so... Writing directly to the University in the past has proven to be useless. How can they claim that no-one has stepped forward with an interesst in helping? I, and many people like me, have done so repeatedly! Community support is there, and the University persist in ignoring it, because it is an inconvenient truth...Tami Smith-Daniels July 8, 2010, 8:45 p.m.
With regard to the rabbit sanctuaries, there is no mythical limit of
20which can be accomodated! Tom Smith was told, by me personally, the other day that funds were in hand with a Vet to sterilize up to that number on that day, if he were to hand them over to me at that instant, and that further funding could be allocated towards sterilization at a moment's notice, if more rabbits were available. There is no limit to the number of rabbits that the supporters would be prepared to take, and as funding is absolutely pouring in, funding is NOT the issue that UVic make it out to be. We thank all of our supporters - please keep the funds coming. The only thing preventing these rabbits from being saved is the slowdowns in the application process for further permit holders at other sanctuaries, and UVic's self-imposed deadlines. These rabbits can, and should, be rehomed. If they are now killed, it will be as a direct result of UVic wanting it so. They have no more excuses!Tami Smith-Daniels July 8, 2010, 8:45 p.m.
With regard to the rabbit sanctuaries, there is no mythical limit of
20which can be accomodated! Tom Smith was told, by me personally, the other day that funds were in hand with a Vet to sterilize up to that number on that day, if he were to hand them over to me at that instant, and that further funding could be allocated towards sterilization at a moment's notice, if more rabbits were available. There is no limit to the number of rabbits that the supporters would be prepared to take, and as funding is absolutely pouring in, funding is NOT the issue that UVic make it out to be. We thank all of our supporters - please keep the funds coming. The only thing preventing these rabbits from being saved is the slowdowns in the application process for further permit holders at other sanctuaries, and UVic's self-imposed deadlines. These rabbits can, and should, be rehomed. If they are now killed, it will be as a direct result of UVic wanting it so. They have no more excuses!William Jesse July 8, 2010, 9:14 p.m.
With so many willing volunteers ready to step in and donation money arriving daily why does Smith pretend that no one wants to get involved? The number of people involved in saving these rabbits is immense and concern for them is vast. Indeed the whole world is watching.
William Jesse July 8, 2010, 9:14 p.m.
With so many willing volunteers ready to step in and donation money arriving daily why does Smith pretend that no one wants to get involved? The number of people involved in saving these rabbits is immense and concern for them is vast. Indeed the whole world is watching.
Steve Link July 8, 2010, 9:45 p.m.
I find it hard to believe the the university has not tried more avenues to settle this dispute with the animal lovers trying to save the rabbits. This story has made it all the way to Oklahoma where I live and it saddens us to hear there is not more progress to save more of them. And adding the government bureaucracy to help find suitable homes draws out the process even further. The animal people will know of such things, talk to them, create a dialogue. Get things moving. Stop the hate that seems to be growing over this whole situation.
Steve Link July 8, 2010, 9:45 p.m.
I find it hard to believe the the university has not tried more avenues to settle this dispute with the animal lovers trying to save the rabbits. This story has made it all the way to Oklahoma where I live and it saddens us to hear there is not more progress to save more of them. And adding the government bureaucracy to help find suitable homes draws out the process even further. The animal people will know of such things, talk to them, create a dialogue. Get things moving. Stop the hate that seems to be growing over this whole situation.
Trev July 9, 2010, 5:21 a.m.
As someone else pointed out, UVic's admin does NOT respond to emails and only seems determined to continue down the path of destruction they have created until almost every rabbit is dead... sadly there are SEVERAL options admin have been given, yet they ignore all of them and would prefer to kill living beings instead... Personally I'd prefer to see them transported to and set free in Burns Bog or Stanley park where they would have thousands of acres in which to roam and live out their lives as God intended... What a black eye this is giving UVic... hard to believe educated people would make the choices they are! :(
Trev July 9, 2010, 5:21 a.m.
As someone else pointed out, UVic's admin does NOT respond to emails and only seems determined to continue down the path of destruction they have created until almost every rabbit is dead... sadly there are SEVERAL options admin have been given, yet they ignore all of them and would prefer to kill living beings instead... Personally I'd prefer to see them transported to and set free in Burns Bog or Stanley park where they would have thousands of acres in which to roam and live out their lives as God intended... What a black eye this is giving UVic... hard to believe educated people would make the choices they are! :(
Robert July 9, 2010, 10:59 a.m.
I simply cannot believe the narrow mindedness of UVic administration when it comes to decisions like this. Do they not realize that globally their reputation as a university is flagging? Or do they really care? Probably the latter. If they had only taken the neuter route years the situation would not have grown. Another poor decision on their part.
Robert July 9, 2010, 10:59 a.m.
I simply cannot believe the narrow mindedness of UVic administration when it comes to decisions like this. Do they not realize that globally their reputation as a university is flagging? Or do they really care? Probably the latter. If they had only taken the neuter route years the situation would not have grown. Another poor decision on their part.
laura-leah July 11, 2010, 1:08 a.m.
when condeming the rabbits for the destruction they have caused, and for breeding, as they do, it is important to know and remember that the University of Victoria was offered a solution, repeatedly for the past 2 years, by Dr Nick Shaw who would do vasectomies on all the male rabbits, AT NO CHARGE TO THE UNIVERSITY OR TAXPAYERS, and let nature reduce the population. imagine if they had gone that route 2 years ago, but no, the university chose not to. Why one wonders, is it power over a defenseless animal, or control ... who knows - but rather than the volunteer manpower and medical care, the university is now set to kill the animals who, through the fault of our fellow citizens, have been abandoned. and please remember YOUR TAX DOLLARS are paying to kill them. better to send them to volunteer run sanctuaries? of course it would be, but the university refuses to help with the cost, gives almost no time for groups to put land and money in place, and as for the permits that people can apply for - my 4 page application to move the rabbits that went in over a week ago, was responded to with an email that had 7 attachments, all of which need filled out for the application to be considered. UVic can kill the rabbits without a permit, but for rabbit supporters to move them to safety a permit is needed, with multiple government forms. How does any of this make sense?
laura-leah July 11, 2010, 1:08 a.m.
when condeming the rabbits for the destruction they have caused, and for breeding, as they do, it is important to know and remember that the University of Victoria was offered a solution, repeatedly for the past 2 years, by Dr Nick Shaw who would do vasectomies on all the male rabbits, AT NO CHARGE TO THE UNIVERSITY OR TAXPAYERS, and let nature reduce the population. imagine if they had gone that route 2 years ago, but no, the university chose not to. Why one wonders, is it power over a defenseless animal, or control ... who knows - but rather than the volunteer manpower and medical care, the university is now set to kill the animals who, through the fault of our fellow citizens, have been abandoned. and please remember YOUR TAX DOLLARS are paying to kill them. better to send them to volunteer run sanctuaries? of course it would be, but the university refuses to help with the cost, gives almost no time for groups to put land and money in place, and as for the permits that people can apply for - my 4 page application to move the rabbits that went in over a week ago, was responded to with an email that had 7 attachments, all of which need filled out for the application to be considered. UVic can kill the rabbits without a permit, but for rabbit supporters to move them to safety a permit is needed, with multiple government forms. How does any of this make sense?
Byron G Davies July 11, 2010, 7:42 p.m.
It seems to me that the bottom line is they do not want rabbits period. Forget Rabbit Zones, its all smoke and mirrors to appease the public and animal activists. Killing them is an easy answer although it won't be without repercussions. I cannot imagine the cost to UVic to do this when so many other groups and veterinarians are willing to get involved AT NO COST to the university. Reread my first sentence! B-G-D
Byron G Davies July 11, 2010, 7:42 p.m.
It seems to me that the bottom line is they do not want rabbits period. Forget Rabbit Zones, its all smoke and mirrors to appease the public and animal activists. Killing them is an easy answer although it won't be without repercussions. I cannot imagine the cost to UVic to do this when so many other groups and veterinarians are willing to get involved AT NO COST to the university. Reread my first sentence! B-G-D