Inbreeding causes problems for bunnies at Bunny Park
In response to an article in which the City Times reported on the Bunny Park’s new renovations, some positive comments from members of the public were interspersed with complaints about the visibly ill bunnies in the park.
The unhygienic state of the toilet facilities and the question of when the dam will be cleaned were also raised.
The City Times asked the metro what illness the bunnies are carrying and Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the condition is due to inbreeding and is, thus, not contagious, but cannot be cured.
“The SPCA, in cooperation with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, is currently busy catching the excess bunnies to donate them to other institutions,” added Gadebe.
“By doing this, the number of bunnies in the Bunny Park can be controlled.”
He confirmed that the metro has plans in the pipeline to clean the dam.
“During this financial year, environmental assessments and hydrological studies will be carried out, where after implementation will commence from the next financial year,” he said.
Gadebe said all the animals are in a good condition and the Bapsfontein Animal Hospital is available to treat ill or injured animals.
“Food is provided once a day, but is available to the animals for the entire day,” Gadebe added.
In response to the complaint about the park’s public facilities, Gadebe said the whole Bunny Park, including the ablution facilities, is kept clean on a daily basis.
