Animals not moving to Springs, Boksburg parks
The Bunny Park animals will not move to other council-owned parks during the revamp at the facility.
According to Tania Forrest-Smith, committee member of the Ward 27 environment portfolio, the Bunny Park’s cows, sheep and goats will not go to President’s Park, in Springs, as previously planned.
“Due to a concern for the safety of the animals, they won’t go to President’s Park,” the founder of the Save the Bunny Park Animals group said.
“There was a slaughter of animals about four years ago and the density of housing around the park is a concern.”
Clr Jacques Meiring (Ward 27) said the animals would not go to President’s Park, as the move would be too logistically challenging.
He said the pigs will not go to the Bokkie Park, in Boksburg, for the same reason.
Meiring and Forrest-Smith said the animals would likely go to temporary foster homes in Benoni.
On February 27 Meiring said a memorandum of understanding had been drawn up on the matter and all role players were happy about the change in plans.
“We now just need official approval from the department, but it looks very feasible, I foresee no problems,” he said.
Forrest-Smith said the lawyers of Ban Animal Trading (Bat) and the Save the Bunny Park Animals group were perusing the memorandum at the time of going to print.
The metro and the Save the Bunny Park Animals group will continue to feed the animals at the foster homes, but it provides them with shelter until the Bunny Park revamp is completed.
“Representatives from the metro and I will go to potential surrogate caretakers to ensure all the criteria are met to keep the animals there,” Forrest-Smith said.
Forrest-Smith said the home for the cows already received the green light, while the goats, sheep and pigs will go to one place, which still needed final approval at the time of going to print.
She said on February 27 that 470 bunnies had gone to new homes.
She said over 1 800 applications for adoptions were received by her team, all of which were approved through home inspections.
To adopt a bunny, contact Forrest-Smith on bbpadoptions@gmail.com or 084 601 1061 (WhatsApp only).
The Bunny Park will be closed for renovations from March 1.
Also read:
Bunny Park readies for its facelift
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