Bunny Park closes its gates – for now
A number of people took to Facebook at the weekend, to welcome the temporary closure of the Bunny Park, saying it is necessary to allow for a thorough investigation into the conditions of the facility and its inhabitants.
READ: Help to feed the animals at the Bunny Park
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) temporarily closed the popular Benoni landmark on Friday, after a meeting earlier in the day with various interest groups.
Visitors to the park were confronted with locked gates at the weekend, with a sign saying: “Bunny Park will be closed for assessment until further notice”.
EMM spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the closure will allow a state veterinarian to conduct an assessment of the facility and of all the animals within the park.
It is not clear when the park will reopen, but Gadebe said it should not be a lengthy process.
The closure comes after months of allegations from interest groups and community members of neglected and diseased animals in the facility.
“It was a precautionary measure to temporarily close the park,” said Gadebe.
He explained that “concerns from various groups” were raised at the meeting.
Some of those who attended said the diseased bunnies may pose a risk to the park’s visitors.
An independent assessment will be conducted by a state veterinarian, to evaluate the risks.
“We want to listen to residents and we are concerned about the conditions, primarily the animals and people,” said Gadebe.
The Bunny Park Animals 911 Group, who have been involved with a feeding programme at the park, called the closure a “victory”.
“This is a victory and, as we proposed it, we are very proud of this ground-breaking success,” the group said on Facebook.
One of the 911 members said the animals’ welfare will now finally be looked into.
They will also approach a veterinarian to conduct an assessment and are pushing for the park to be fully rehabilitated.
The DA also welcomed the move to close the park and said it hopes for the report to be released soon.
“The DA is concerned that the recent negative reports will deter the many other visitors who come from far and wide to bring their loved ones to the park to enjoy the animals,” said the leader of the DA Ekurhuleni Caucus, Fortune Mahano.
“We need to restore the public’s confidence that all is well at the Bunny Park.”
Meanwhile, members of the Bunny Park Animals 911 Group continued with their feeding of the animals in the park on Sunday.
The group’s members have been feeding the animals every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, for the past several weeks.
Comments on the Benoni City Times Facebook page, following news of the closure, included:
Kay Green Carstens: I think it’s terribly sad. Lots of people still go there. I myself have taken my children, and now grandchildren there. It’s so easy to just say close it. I really hope that something can be done to help the animals and keep the Bunny Park open for the sake of the children.
Eric John Ludick: I hope it reopens again and I have two little ones that love the animals and enjoy our family days there.
Michele Klemp: At long last! Get it cleaned up and staffed properly.
Lillian Bester van der Berg: Good. At least the suffering of the animals will come to an end!
Zandra Riddle: Animals first – the public is not important.
