More drama surrounding the bunnies in Durbanville unfolded this week, with threats of culling at a retirement village, while a bunny was found shot dead in the Durbanville Cemetery on Saturday 23 May.

The bunnies in the City of Cape Town-owned cemetery have come under the spotlight in recent weeks after a group of boys, allegedly from Morningstar, stoned the animals and attacked them with poles and a golf club.

The bunnies have also infiltrated private property close to the Durbanville cemetery over the past few years, including the grounds of the historic Durbanville Dutch Reformed Church – where they have destroyed newly planted rosebushes, as well as the premises and sports fields of Durbanville Primary School.

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Culling of bunnies

The culling of bunnies was allegedly organised to take place on Tuesday evening at Graanendal Lifestyle Estate, with organisers claiming they had “done it before” and had “all the correct paperwork needed from the district firearms officer”.

This was later denied by the retirement village administration, after TygerBurger pointed out that Durbanville police had warned residents not to discharge firearms in residential neighbourhoods.

According to Sgt Tintswalo Sithole, spokesperson of Durbanville police, it is illegal to shoot in a neighbourhood. “Anyone who does that will be arrested.”

Volunteers who had been invited by residents of Graanendal Lifestyle Estate to catch and relocate bunnies were chased out of the retirement village by security officers acting on the instructions of the caretaker, who also told them to use tear gas “to get rid of people trespassing on the estate”. Only three bunnies were caught.

The volunteer group feeds the bunnies, especially those in Durbanville cemetery, rescues sick and injured animals, and conducts sterilisation drives in which bunnies are sterilised and either rehomed or released back into the cemetery.

After being approached by volunteers, Francois Berry, councillor for Ward 105, which includes Graanendal Lifestyle Estate, confirmed to TygerBurger that he was making contact with the volunteers to see how they could work together to address the matter.

“In many areas, the bunnies are warmly welcomed and are seen as a beautiful addition to the environment,” he said.

A raffle has been launched by the volunteer groups to raise funds for the sterilisation and relocation of the feral rabbit colony, he added.

City shrugs responsibility

The City has in the meantime shrugged all responsibility on to the SPCA, blaming volunteers who feed the bunnies for the overpopulation.

In response to enquiries about what the City is doing to address the bunny issue in its cemetery and surrounding areas, Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health, said: “Feeding these naturalised colonies is the real reason why overpopulation develops and then becomes a nuisance for residents.”

She said that “communication with the SPCA has been initiated to remove all the rabbits from Durbanville cemetery”. This was confirmed by Theresa Uys, councillor for Ward 112, to TygerBurger.

“The City’s recreation and parks department is not mandated to catch or relocate abandoned animals. This activity can only be done by the SPCA, or organisations authorised under the SPCA Act 169 of 1993. However, the department is willing to provide assistance to authorised organisations,” Higham said.

Higham also stated that “the ward councillor is in discussion with the rescuers.” This was strongly denied by the volunteers involved with the various bunny rescue projects.

TygerBurger was informed by the volunteers that SPCA officials had confirmed they had no intention of removing any bunnies, as “it does not fall within their mandate”.

In an email from an SPCA official to a volunteer, appreciation was expressed “for the dedication of the volunteers to continue to care for, rescue, sterilise and protect the bunnies under very difficult circumstances”.

Not true

According to one volunteer, it is untrue that feeding the bunnies contributes to breeding. “We deliberately feed them a low-protein diet, which discourages breeding. Owl boxes have also been erected in the cemetery to attract natural predators. We also catch bunnies and have them sterilised at our own cost.”

She was alerted to the dead bunny in the cemetery by a member of the public. “It must have suffered terribly before dying. It was shot in the face and its jaw was smashed. It would have taken time to die,” she said.

Amidst all this drama, a charge of theft was laid at Durbanville police station after an anti-dumping signboard erected at the cemetery was removed without permission during the week. Even after it was secured with strong wire following the first theft, the wire was cut and the signboard stolen again. The stolen board was later found in a rubbish bin, and a verbal warning was issued by the police.

Rosebushes eaten

The Durbanville Dutch Reformed Church suffered a loss of about R5 000 when newly planted rosebushes were eaten by bunnies on its grounds. According to a spokesperson for the church, about nine bunnies were chased out of the church grounds with brooms to the adjacent school sports fields on Tuesday, and entry points — such as stormwater drains — were blocked to deter the bunnies from re-entering.

Bunnies also populate the premises of Durbanville Primary School. According to Pierre du Toit, principal, more than 50 bunnies have invaded the school’s gardens and sports grounds over years.

“The children love them and they are now part of our grounds. It is not that we feel we have to intervene at this stage, but we would like to have the situation more under control. We would welcome it if any institution could become involved. It is also about the welfare of the animals,” he said.

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