Health status of Bunny Park disputed by welfare groups

This is according to a veterinary report compiled by the chief state veterinarian and two independent private veterinarians, who have pronounced the Benoni Bunny Park clean and healthy.

The report was released in a press release by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) on Tuesday, November 24.

“In his report, the chief vet, who is based at provincial level, said most of the animals examined were found to be healthy and no evidence of zoonotic skin (orf) disease of sheep and goats was found as alleged,” said Themba Gadebe EMM spokesperson.

The report stated that orf is a virus which may survive in soil for several months, but not in South Africa, including the Bunny Park, as the tropical climate is not suitable for the virus.

“The chief vet confirmed that the majority of bunnies exhibited normal behaviour,” added Gadebe.

“However, he also noted that there were some that were severely diseased as a result of mange.

“The vet said they did not see dead rabbits but they had not excavated burrows for evidence of death.”

According to the veterinarian, the overpopulation of animals in the park had damaged the land and plant life.

“The high population has also led to inbreeding and a decline in intrinsic immunity in these animals with the resultant outbreak of disease and high parasite loads,” the vet said.

Last week the Bunny Park Animals 911 Group expressed their disappointment in EMM.

“We are very dissatisfied as the animals are not being fed adequately,” said Tania Forrest-Smith, a member of the group.

“According to government ordinance, the number of animals in the park is too high, we’d like to close it down again and bring the population down.”

Forrest-Smith also emphasised the disappearance of three sheep, one of which was the animal alleged to have carried orf.

She added that 25 out of 50 feeding trays which were donated to the park, have disappeared.

Gadebe said management of the park would request EMM to approve a plan to sterilise and reduce the population of bunnies, rehabilitate the park and place healthy bunnies in enclosures for public viewing.

The other animals were found to be healthy, except the pigs at the park, which were considered overweight.

Furthermore, Gadebe said a master plan would be compiled to upgrade the park, including the dams, vegetation, rehabilitation of the area and building an animal sick bay.

“The provision of about R7-million has been made available for the implementation of the master plan over the next three financial years,” Gadebe added.

For the time being, an acting caretaker has been appointed at the Bunny Park, while the current caretaker is under investigation.

“We are happy with Willem, the new caretaker at the Bunny Park,” said Forrest-Smith.