As the bunnies took over the park in Vancouver, people warned not to get too close

Vancouver Park Council reminds residents to respect the cute, curious bunnies that take over Jericho Beach in Quicilano.

Joe Fitzgibbons, a planner for the Vancouver City Parks and Recreation Board, said that while rabbits will not run away from people when they approach, people should still avoid getting too close.

“It’s perfectly good to admire bunnies from a safe distance,” she said.

“Do not approach them or enter their space.”

Rabbits near Jericho Beach are not afraid of people, but the city says people should be careful not to get too close. (Ben Nelms / CBC)

One of the biggest problems with rabbits on Jericho Beach, says Fitzgibbons, is that people are tempted to feed them, sometimes even carrying carrots and celery to offer the little furry creatures.

“This rabbit population is not really local to the area,” she said.

“It’s really not natural for their systems. We will often see problems with disease, malnutrition and other things that come with these fed rabbit populations.

Pet rabbits have historically been a popular Easter gift, but Fitzgibbons says people are often unaware of their commitment to caring for them.

According to the BC SPCA, rabbits can live up to 15 years and because they live in large groups in the wild, they need friendship. The SPCA offers the adoption of more than one rabbit to have a boyfriend when their people are not around.

Jericho Beach Park is teeming with rabbits, an inherited population of unwanted pets released into the area over the years. (Ben Nelms / CBC)

When people can’t get involved with a domestic rabbit, they think it’s nice to let them in the park – which is not kind at all, says Fitzgibbons.

“The rabbit population [at Jericho Beach] are something like a hereditary population of released pets, “she said.

According to the city, releasing domestic rabbits in the wild makes them vulnerable to predators, disease, malnutrition and road accidents.

The city describes rabbits as an invasive species that poses problems to local populations as they compete for food and habitat.