#ICYMI: Residents get hopping mad over using bunnies to feed carnivores at zoo

The Johannesburg Zoo has recently come under fire for receiving donations of rabbits from the Benoni Bunny Park to use as food for carnivores.

The zoo, however, insists that it is done in the most humane manner possible while also assisting the bunny park in combating issues of disease and inbreeding.

According to Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, the zoo received a request from the bunny park to help reduce the number of rabbits at the park, as there had been concerned animal rights groups.

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“The facility in Benoni had exceeded its carrying capacity and recently commenced an extensive and costly sterilisation process [and found] homes for over 750 rabbits,” said Moodley.

Moodley also added that the zoo purchases rabbits to feed its carnivores, so it was in a position to accept 50 rabbits a week from the park to aid in decreasing the population. Moodley added that the Johannesburg Zoo anticipates it will receive about 2 000 rabbits in total.

“We would, however, like to assure residents that the euthanization of the animals is being overseen and is closely monitored by the chief vet at the Joburg Zoo. The Joburg Zoo is therefore committed to ensuring that the euthanizing of the rabbits is carried out in the most humane manner possible,” said Moodley.

The breeding patterns of rabbits mean that they multiply very quickly which can lead to diseases, and Moodley added that it is considered the best practice to ensure that numbers are retained at acceptable levels as this can result in the loss of grazing areas that are also required for other foraging animals.
The Benoni Bunny Park was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

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