Limit bird feeders to keep rabbits out of yards, animal control says
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/07/2018 (2631 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brandon’s rabbit situation may not be as big of a problem as it is in Winnipeg, but getting rid of bird feeders could help, according to an animal control officer with the city.
On Thursday, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that residents should expect more predator animals, such as coyotes, eagles, falcons, foxes, hawks and owls, due to a rise in the number of rabbits.
Special Const. Brent Castle from Brandon Animal Control said that he didn’t think these species’ prevalence has increased in Brandon. Even so, he said that there is an ongoing issue related to rabbits, racoons and deer eating from people’s bird feeders.
Because of this, he said that the presence of all three animals has remained fairly consistent.
That, in turn, has created another problem, he added, which is that people are unwilling to give up their bird feeders.
“If people cut back on (the) number of bird feeders (it) would definitely keep those numbers at a controllable level,” he said.
Tracy Munn, shelter manager of the Brandon Humane Society, said she agreed that the number of rabbits in the city hasn’t become a problem yet, but didn’t think rabbits ate the same food as birds.
However, Munn said that she has seen fewer gophers and squirrels in her southwest area neighbourhood lately, which she suspected was a product of growing real estate development in the area.
“I’ve seen a decline in those, but I haven’t seen an increase in the rabbit population,” she said.
As far as predator sightings go, Castle said he has not seen anything out of the ordinary.
The city typically hears of reported fox sightings within city limits, he said, and instances where someone comes across the remains of a rabbit that was killed by an owl or a hawk aren’t uncommon.
As long as the public’s safety isn’t affected by predators in the area, there shouldn’t be any problems, Castle said.
“I think it’s sustaining itself quite normally.”
Gwen Beam, vice-president and program director of the Brandon Garden Club, said she has not personally suffered any rabbit-related damage to her garden.
But, with more than 100 members in the club, she said there were sure to be some who have had issues with rabbits and other wildlife.
“I don’t have much problem with rabbits, but I do see a lot more in the city, there’s no doubt about that,” she said. “You see them all over the place.”
Her recommendation to gardeners was to close off the affected area with a fence or net and to avoid using chemicals or traps whenever possible.
» mlee@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @mtaylorlee