Our selfish neighbor prompted a species invasion in our Florida town – we’ve been billed $8,000 to fix the mess
A RESIDENTIAL neighborhood in Florida has been overrun by a horde of feral rabbits.
The 60 to 100 bunnies are becoming a problem in the Jenada Hills section of Wilton Manors, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale.
They are descendants of a group of lionhead rabbits illegally let loose by a breeder, who moved out of the neighborhood about two years ago.
The rabbits, named for their distinctive mane, are known to dig holes, chew outdoor wiring, and leave their droppings around town.
There are also concerns that the rabbits could spread into other towns or pose a traffic hazard if they get onto major roads.
The municipal government has elected to pay $8,000 to exterminate the unwanted residents.
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But some animal lovers, including Wilton Manors resident Alicia Griggs, want to save the rabbits instead.
Officials are giving her a chance to do so.
She's currently working to raise money for the effort, which would cost between $20,000 and $40,000, the Associated Press reported.
“They really need to be rescued. We’ve tried to get the city to do it, but they’re just dragging their feet," Griggs said.
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"They think that if they do that, then they’ll have to get rid of iguanas and everything else that people don’t want around."
The domesticated breed would certainly be safer indoors.
Their heavy coats make it easy for them to overheat in the Florida sun and their lack of innate fear makes them a good target for predators.
Rescuing and rehoming the stray bunnies wouldn't be an easy task.
Veterinarians who provide medical care for rabbits are few and far between.
There also aren't many people looking to adopt bunnies, which require a lot of work on the part of their owners.
Although these rabbits are technically an invasive species, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has no plans to intervene since they're not having an impact on other wildlife.
The breeder who let the rabbits loose could potentially be prosecuted but that's not something officials in Wilton Manors have pursued.