Vancouver Island University has a long way to go before its rabbit population gets as out of control as the situation at the University of Victoria last year, according to professor Liz Gillis. Gillis, who teaches in the department of Resource Management Officer Technology, led her Wildlife Management class in a study of the rabbits on campus last term. Fourth year Biology student Megan Jenkins also conducted research from June 2011 to February 2012 that indicated that although the rabbits are breeding, few of their young survive. When Gillis last counted the rabbits in August, there were estimated to be about 120 -- nowhere near the 1200 at UVIC. Rabbits cluster in groups on campus that make it seem like there are more of them than there actually are, said Gillis. Many of the rabbits succumb to predators such as hawks, cougars and feral cats, which helps explain the low numbers. Others die of natural causes, and unfortunately, many get run over in traffic trying to cross Fifth Street. Gillis believes education and awareness are the keys to keeping the population in check. In addition to signs up all over campus discouraging the feeding of the rabbits, pamphlets were also sent out to students in residence last year urging them to leave the bunnies alone.
“Let them be wild,” she said. “Yes, some of them are going to be eaten by predators. Yes, some of them are going to die of disease. Yes, some of them are going to get hit by cars. However, that’s helping keep the population at a level where it’s tolerable, and that’s the goal.” Due to these factors, VIU hasn’t had to enforce any sort of population control through means such as sterilization, removal or culling like UVIC did because nature has largely taken care of that. Should there be a significant increase in rabbits in future, students would be informed before a definite decision is made on what to do. “We may consult with the student union, but the decision would be made in the interest of health and safety,” said Ric Kelm, director of Facility Services. Gillis said that the responses she receives on the issue are either in favour of conservation or want stricter control. Since these are “value judgements” with no one right or wrong answer, they generate strong opinions. “That’s why any time you go towards active management, it’s such a controversial issue,” she said. Susan Vickery knows this firsthand. Her sanctuary in Coombs, Earth Animal Rights Society (EARS), took in over 600 of UVIC’s bunnies after they were in danger of being euthanized. She has since had problems with neighbours shooting bunnies that escaped to nearby property, and in June 2011, an intruder broke in and killed 20 bunnies. EARS has since had to increase its security measures as a result of incidents like these. “There are certain unstable people who continue to make our work challenging,” she said. Even though her sanctuary provides a home for the rabbits, it’s not an ideal solution. “Sanctuary relocation does not work to break the cycle of pet abandonment; it may well enable it,” she said. “Responsible pet ownership needs to be embedded by learned example: watch, do, teach.” Certain times of the year, like Easter, see an increase in the sale of pet rabbits, which in turn results in a number of them being dumped in places
like VIU when people become bored with a bunny that isn’t as cute as they thought. Fortunately, several municipalities in BC have bylaws in place that dictate rabbits sold in pet stores must be spayed or neutered, and Richmond and New Westminster have banned the sale of rabbits from pet stores altogether. The BC SPCA takes in hundreds of unwanted rabbits a year. According to its website, “Our safety net for these animals is already bulging and public demand for rabbit adoption is low. Most of these animals spend months in our shelters before finding a new home.” So if anyone is thinking about abandoning a rabbit, Gillis hopes they will reconsider. “A lot of times, people just don’t want to see what happens. If you let it go, you don’t have to see this animal starving to death. I think that if people really thought through what they were doing, they might make different choices. And I don’t know how you make that happen.” But as long as they’re here, Gilles hopes there is a way that both people and rabbits can peacefully co-exist at VIU. “They’re nice to have around campus. Everyone likes looking at the rabbits. So if we can have a tolerable level here that brings enjoyment to people and doesn’t do damage that’s not manageable, that doesn’t create a health problem or a safety problem, then it’s a win-win,” she said. I found out about this story when we were picking topics in class and you suggested the rabbit story. I then did a bit of research about who to contact and found Liz Gillis and Susan Vickery, who I interviewed. I also emailed Ric Kelm for his input. I think there is enough variation in views that it makes for a good story and hopefully you agree.