Invasive animal species have long caused headaches for residents and local governments in Florida.
Among other things, the American state has been plagued by Burmese pythons, giant African snails and green iguanas.
But the newest invader in the suburb of Wilton Manors in the city of Fort Lauderdale might be the cutest yet.
Dozens of wild lion-headed rabbits have taken over the neighborhood.
Now several of the residents hope that the local authorities will intervene to get rid of the hairy rodents. But it can be expensive.
– This is serious
Can cost hundreds of thousands
– They really need to be saved. We tried to ask the city to do it, but they just put it off, Alicia Griggs tells the news agency AP News.
Griggs has now started a fundraising campaign together with several of the residents in the area, to try to catch, neuter, vaccinate and then give away the rabbits that have settled in the neighbourhood.
The goal for the fundraising campaign is around NOK 200,000 to 400,000.
She says that the campaign is the rabbits’ last hope to avoid cars, cats, hawks and all sorts of other dangers that can threaten the little rodents.
According to the newspaper The Guardian the rabbits are said to have descended from a group of lion rabbits released by a breeder, after she allegedly moved from the neighbourhood.
The rodents then did what rabbits do best – reproduce.
It is estimated that there are around 60 to 100 lion head rabbits that now live in Wilton Manors, writes The Guardian.
FEAR: Several of the residents say that the wild rabbits are not afraid of people. Photo: AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee / NTB Show more
– I wish they would leave
Some of the residents of Wilton Manors are quite skeptical of the wild rabbits, no matter how cute they are. One of them is Jon King.
– Every morning I get up, and the first thing I do is chase them out of the backyard and cover the holes they dig, King tells AP.
Several of the residents have complained that the lion heads dig holes, chew up wires and leave faeces on sidewalks and driveways.
DOZENS: Up to a hundred rabbits will live in the neighborhood. Photo: AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee / NTB Show more
– Will be given care and love
The city has held a meeting about the rabbits, and has decided to work with a local rescue group to give them a new home, according to NBC News.
It is still uncertain when this will happen, according to AP.
If local authorities choose to intervene, they will make sure the rabbits are well taken care of, according to Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker.
– The safety of these rabbits is of the greatest importance to the city. If we choose to get involved, it will be certain that these rabbits are given to people with a passion to give the necessary care and love they deserve, he says in a statement, writes NBC.
2023-07-20 15:36:31
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