Metro opens tender to sterilise bunnies

Since a settlement was reached between the metro and the Bunny Park animal rights groups, four animals have been moved from the park and a tender process has started to have the bunnies sterilised.

File photo.

“In terms of the settlement which was agreed upon between the City of Ekurhuleni and the animal rights activists, the Parks and Cemeteries division has nine months to complete the project of sterilising the rabbits that will be adopted,” said Themba Gadebe, Ekurhuleni Metro spokesperson.

“The project involves the appointment of a team of veterinarians to sterilise the rabbits, through a tender process.”

In a compromise reached between the two parties in the South Gauteng High Court, in July, it was decided the park will be closed for a period to be refurbished.

For this reason, many of the animals will be moved to other facilities while work is being done, as well as to allow the facility’s flora to recover.

The metro previously said there is no definite date for the closure of the park, as they are still in the planning phase.

Themba said besides the four animals adopted by the animal rights activists, no other animals have been moved from the park yet.

Two donkeys and two goats were moved by the animal rights groups involved at the park.

“There are currently no obstacles besides the tender process which is, by nature, lengthy, to ensure that it is an open, fair and transparent process within the regulations of the Municipal Finance Act, and the City of Ekurhuleni’s Procurement Policy,” Gadebe concluded.