Municipality considers options around Bunny Park
No evidence of a zoonotic skin disease was found at the Bunny Park, following an assessment of the facility during its temporary closure.
The park was recently reopened, after the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) brought in a veterinarian to do a report.
READ: Benoni Bunny Park feeding needs support
“On October 20, 12 sheep and 30 goats were examined by the state veterinarian to assess their general health,” said EMM spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
“The animals examined were found to be healthy and no evidence of a zoonotic skin disease affecting the sheep and goats was found.”
Gadebe added that the full report by the veterinarian was expected to be finalised by Tuesday (November 3) afternoon.
He said although the EMM previously considered euthanising the bunnies infected mange, several other options are being considered at this stage.
“We don’t want to make a decision until the full report is released,” Gadebe added.
According to the EMM, the budget allocated to food for the Bunny Park animals is R148 731 per year.
Gadebe said the park receives donations in addition to this, but the parks division has savings, should shortages arise.
“Fresh food (fruit and vegetables) are collected from a grocery store and the public also donate fresh food,” he explained.
“This amounts to approximately a bakkie-load a day.”
Gideon Strydom, caretaker at the park, said food is collected three times a week from Superspar Rynfield, a small store in Petit and The Vegetarium, in Western Extension.
Rui Marques, owner of The Vegetarium, said his store has been providing the Bunny Park with extra food since 2011.
“They come with a trailer and load cabbage, lettuce, some pre-cut veggies and peels, which fill the trailer,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Bunny Park Animals 911 Group has been feeding the animals at the park at least three times a week, using donated food.
“The lives of the animals are definitely being made easier by all the donations from the public,” said Tania Forrest-Smith, a member of the group
She added that the feed on Sunday, November 1, was the most successful since she became involved with the park, 18 months ago.
