Benoni animals to visit President’s Park
The Benoni Bunny Park's cows, goats and sheep will soon be welcomed by their feathered friends at President's Park in Springs.
These animals will be moved on March 1, the same day the metro plans on starting with the revamp of the Bunny Park in Rynfield, Benoni
Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe says although some minor repairs are still being done at President’s Park to ensure the safety of the animals, the park is ready to provide temporary shelter to the Benoni animals.
“Some of the shelters also need minor repairs, but the work will be done by March 1,” he says.
Phase One will focus on the dams, the irrigation, fencing, electricity and sewer system at the park.
Gadebe says the deadline for Phase One is the end of June.
Read: Bunny Park animals visit President’s Park
The second phase includes a revamp of animal housing and public amenities, play areas, ablution facilities, braai areas, lapas and walkways.
“This phase is due to start by July and last until September,” says Gadebe.
The metro has allocated R4.4-million in the 2016/2017 financial year and a further R4-m in the 2017/2018 financial year towards the refurbishment of the Bunny Park.
The metro previously reported that the pigs will also be moved from Benoni, but their destination will be the Bokkie Park in Parkdene, Boksburg.
Tania Forrest-Smith, founder of the Save the Bunny Park Animals group, says all the chickens have been adopted already, as well as a few rabbits.
“There will be no animals on the site by March 1,” she says.
This means that construction will run smoothly without any concerns about possibly injuring animals on site.
Read: Bunny Park in the clear
She says all the geese, ducks and peacocks will be gone by Sunday (February 12).
Some of the almost 4 000 rabbits have already been adopted as well, but Tania plans on hosting a bunny adoption day on March 11.
“All the rabbits will be sterilised before adoption can take place,” she says.
Although construction will be in full swing by March 11, Tania and her team will be at the service entrance in Struben Street, Rynfield on the adoption open day.
She invites communities to visit the premises to choose a rabbit of their choice for adoption.
This will take place between 8.30am and 10.30am.
