Fuzzy invasion of home rabbits has a Florida suburb hopping right into a hunt for brand spanking new house owners

WILTON MANORS, Fla. — When Alicia Griggs steps exterior her suburban Fort Lauderdale dwelling, Florida’s newest invasive species comes a-hoppin’ down the road: lionhead rabbits.

The bunnies, which sport a powerful flowing mane round their heads, need the food Griggs carries. However she additionally represents their greatest likelihood of survival and shifting the place this domesticated breed belongs: inside houses, away from automobiles, cats, hawks, Florida warmth and probably government-hired exterminators.

Griggs is spearheading efforts to lift the $20,000 to $40,000 it might value for a rescue group to seize, neuter, vaccinate, shelter after which give away the estimated 60 to 100 lionheads now populating Jenada Isles, an 81-home neighborhood in Wilton Manors.

They’re descendants of a bunch a yard breeder illegally let free when she moved away two years in the past.

“They actually should be rescued. So we’ve tried to get the town to do it, however they’re simply dragging their ft,” Griggs mentioned. “They assume that in the event that they try this, then they’ll should eliminate iguanas and all the things else that folks don’t need round.”

Monica Mitchell, whose East Coast Rabbit Rescue would seemingly lead the trouble, mentioned capturing, treating and discovering houses for them “just isn’t a straightforward course of.” Few veterinarians deal with rabbits and plenty of potential house owners shrink back once they learn how a lot work the animals require. Griggs agreed.

“Folks don’t notice they’re unique pets and so they’re sophisticated. They’ve a sophisticated digestive system and so they should eat a particular weight loss plan,” mentioned Griggs, an actual property agent. “You possibly can’t simply throw any desk scraps at them.”

Wilton Manors is giving Griggs and different supporters time to lift cash and relocate the rabbits moderately than exterminate them, although the town fee voted in April to just do that after receiving an $8,000 estimate from a trapping firm.

The vote got here after some residents complained the lionheads dig holes, chew outside wiring and depart droppings on sidewalks and driveways. Metropolis commissioners additionally feared the rabbits may unfold into neighboring communities and cities and change into a site visitors hazard in the event that they ventured onto main streets.

“The protection of this rabbit inhabitants is of utmost significance to the Metropolis, and any choice to contain ourselves will likely be sure to see these rabbits positioned into the fingers of individuals with a ardour to supply the required care and love for these rabbits,” Police Chief Gary Blocker mentioned in an announcement.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee, which frequently culls invasive animals, has advised the town it won’t intercede. The rabbits pose no speedy risk to wildlife.

Lionhead rabbits aren’t the one invasive species inflicting complications or worse for Floridians. Burmese pythons and lionfish are killing off native species. Big African snails eat stucco off houses and carry human illness. Iguanas destroy gardens. Just like the Wilton Manors lionhead rabbits, these populations all began when folks illegally turned them free.

However not like these species, Florida’s environment just isn’t pleasant to lionheads. As an alternative of the 7 to 9 years they reside when correctly housed, their lives outside are nasty, brutal and shortened.

The lionheads’ heavy coat makes them overheat throughout Florida summers and their lack of worry makes them prone to predators. Munching on lawns just isn’t a nutritious diet. Their sicknesses go untreated. They want house owners.

“Domesticated (rabbits) launched into the atmosphere are usually not geared up to thrive on their very own,” mentioned Eric Stewart, government director of the American Rabbit Breeders Affiliation. He mentioned the breeder who launched them ought to be prosecuted, a path the town has not pursued.

The Wilton Manors colony survives and grows solely as a result of lionheads breed just like the rabbits they’re, with females birthing litters of two-to-six offspring each month, beginning when they’re about 3 months previous.

On a current morning in Jenada Isles, clutches of two to 10 bunnies dotted the streets and lawns, the bravest hopping as much as residents and guests seeking treats.

A big group of rabbits gathered on the driveway of Gator Carter, who places out meals for them. He mentioned the lionheads convey the neighborhood pleasure, and his two younger grandchildren love giving them carrots.

“Folks drive by, cease, love ’em, feed ’em,” Carter mentioned. “They do not trouble me. Now we have a pair Airbnbs on the island right here and the folks (visitors) are simply amazed that the rabbits come proper as much as them.”

However Jon King mentioned he needs the rabbits gone quickly. They dig in his yard and he spent $200 repairing his outside lights after they broken the wiring. He purchased rabbit repellent, however that did not work, and his little canine would not scare them: “He is their greatest good friend.”

“Each morning, I rise up and very first thing I do is canopy up the holes and chase them out of the yard. I like them, I simply want they’d go some place else,” King mentioned. “Rescue could be nice.”