Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus prevented at a local park
Volunteers in Sandton worked together as an amazing, dedicated team to collect the dead bunnies across the park.
The Field and Study Park is one of the last open green spaces in the built-up Sandton area.
Most people who visit this park enjoy braais while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
According to Arthur Hammond, the chairperson of Friends of the Field and Study Park (FOFS), the park, which is the home and hunting ground for amazing birds of prey such as gymnogenes, kites, and the neighbouring resident owls, has also been home to hundreds of bunnies over the past few years.
“This all changed when the current rabbit disease, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, which has been spreading through South Africa, found its way to the park, decimating the resident bunny colony in its wake.”
Hammond added it was not dangerous to humans, dogs and cats or other animals, but the disease is highly contagious and fatal to rabbits and wild hares. Hammond said dogs and cats could be carriers if their fur comes into contact with the virus. Moreover, if a bird of prey eats an infected bunny, they can spread the disease across the area in which they fly through their droppings.
“The park bunny colony has been reduced from hundreds of bunnies to less than 20 or so surviving bunnies.”
He emphasised that they are highly concerned about the number of bunny carcasses around the park.
“Apart from being a key source of dissemination of the disease, the carcasses of the bunnies were exposed to the high temperatures of the current heatwave, causing a stench of rotting flesh throughout the park.
“FOFS urgently created a bunny initiative to help the situation; we gathered volunteers from the surrounding residential areas, members of Save Our Park, and other people who care for the park.”
He said it was good to see people give their time and assistance while providing much-needed sponsorship to ensure the correct protocol was followed in collecting and disposing of the rabbits in carefully sealed plastic bags and cremating the carcasses.
The FOFS chairperson said everyone worked together as an amazing, dedicated team to collect the dead bunnies across the park.
“Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped in clearing up the bunnies. From the sponsors to the people on the ground, together we are strong and can help maintain our park as a natural sanctuary for all people to enjoy.”
