Dear Editor,
In the area where we live, the proliferation of wild rabbits is really getting out of control.
What started out 10 years ago as a breeding pair, one of which we called “Pajama Pants” because of his tan and black stripes, quickly multiplied into “Son of Pajama Pants”, “Pajama Pants, the Third”, “Great Grandson of Pajama Pants), and so on and so on and so on…..No, we didn’t buy them, they were here upon our arrival.
Sure, they’re adorable as babies, popping out of the warrens built down into the strata landscaping (which now looks like a dirt war zone), until the offspring reach their version of puberty and get, well, downright snarky and aggressive, running up to where you may be walking and then attempting to kick dirt at you for invading their space (typical teenager).
You do realize I’m one thousand times bigger than you, don’t you, Silly Rabbit, or Pajama Pants, Number Five, Six, Seven? I’ve lost count!
I feel bad for these critters, navigating cars in apartment parking lots, street traffic, to get to a green boulevard and their coveted clover.
It doesn’t help matters when well- meaning residents leave out lettuce, celery stalks and, oddly, one time, we observed orange and banana peels. Are they poisonous?
Obviously, a rabbit round up needs to happen, with each strata pointing out exactly where the dens are located, hiring some company who will live trap them and, may be at the city’s expense or subsidy, hire someone else to drive the animals way out into the country to be set free.
This is probably a stupid idea, but no one else seems to be coming up with any other permanent solutions and the problem continues unabated, despite small rescue society’s valiant attempts to try and help, without adequate funding.
Yes, it’s sad that construction initially forced wildlife to flee into urban areas, or Easter gifts were set free when Pajama Pants Number One probably bit little Johnny, but turning a blind eye doesn’t help the situation.
Does anybody else in Richmond have a viable solution?
Maybe foregoing a council trip to Wakayama this year and putting money to better use at home could save a rabbit from being squashed on the thoroughfare.
Either that or organize a barbeque rabbit festival this summer….no, of course I’m only making a bad joke, but I bet we just got your attention, didn’t we?
How do you solve a problem like Maria, er, Pajama Pants?
Sheila Rathburn
Richmond
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