Rabbit contract alarming: TRACS

by Wayne Moore -May 9, 2008 CASTANET
The City of Kelowna is set to award a contract for control the city's rabbit problem and at least one group is worried about the possible results. Urban Forestry Supervisor, Ian Wilson, is recommending council award the contract to EBB Environmental Consulting based out of the Lower Mainland. EBB Environmental Consulting was one of six groups bidding for the contract. Their bid came in at $54,000 Sinikka Crosland, spokesperson for The Responsible Animal Care Society (TRACS), says she is concerned the methods used may not be humane. "This is the business that did the work on the goose program which scares me a little bit because the goose program has been lethal and there has been egg addling going on," says Crosland.

TRACS was one of the six bidders on the contact. "We are very disappointed. We launched a rabbit program in March and to date, we have 214 rabbits in our care. They were humanely caught and will be cared for in our sanctuaries." Crosland says more power to them if they use humane methods, but she is wary about that prospect. "Looking at the track record with the geese, we are concerned at this point and we would like to know more." Wilson will make his recommendation before council Monday. Since the program is not part of the 2008 budget, Wilson recommends funding come from the Parks' Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design budget ($30,000) and general reserves ($24,040).