Feral rabbit reported in Banff

Banff has a bunny – or had a bunny.

There were several sightings of one domestic rabbit in November and December, but there have been no reports in the last few weeks, leading Parks Canada to believe it likely has been picked off by a coyote or owl.

Parks Canada officials say they believe it would be very unlikely for Banff to end up in the same situation as neighbouring Canmore, where the feral rabbit population has exploded in the last decade.

“It would be difficult for a large number of rabbits to make it from Canmore to Banff and survive predation along the way,” said Steve Michel, human-wildlife conflict specialist.

“It’s also likely predators would have greater access to them around the Town of Banff in terms of how we manage wildlife a bit differently; that is, there are greater numbers of coyotes.”

The first report to Parks Canada came in on Nov. 15. The rabbit had been seen in the Lougheed Circle, Spring Crescent and Glen Avenue neighbourhoods for a month before that. There have been no reports so far this month.

In 2009, a rabbit was seen hanging out in Banff’s industrial compound in the north end of town, prompting Parks Canada to capture and take it to a farm.

In neighbouring Canmore, that municipality estimates the feral rabbit population is around 2,000, prompting town officials to come up with a plan to remove the rabbits.

Although unlikely, Michel said Parks Canada realizes a large number of domestic rabbits, if they were to establish a population, would potentially have serious affects on the ecosystem.

He also said they would be concerned because rabbits have the potential to lure carnivores into areas. “This could result in increased human-wildlife conflicts for residents and visitors,” he said.

Parks Canada has a policy to deal with exotic species, which says all practical efforts will be made to prevent the introduction of exotic animals into national parks and eliminate them when they already exist.

“If non-native feral rabbits began to establish a viable population, resource conservation staff would work closely with the Town of Banff to take immediate action to capture and remove the animals,” said Michel.

Town of Banff officials say the bylaw department has not received any reports of the rabbit.

“We don’t have a policy to deal with feral rabbits, so we would seek direction from council,” said Diana Waltmann, the municipality’s communications manager.

“We don’t know of any feral rabbits existing, but we would definitely work with Parks Canada to help them achieve their goals. We’re a town within a national park.”

It is impossible to determine whether the lone rabbit made its way to Banff from Canmore, 25 kilometres away, or whether it is a pet rabbit that either escaped or was let loose.

“I really don’t know the answer, but my hunch is it probably managed to successfully run the gauntlet and make it over from Canmore, but I don’t have any evidence to support that,” said Michel.

“It would be difficult to imagine how a feral rabbit made it all the way between Banff and Canmore without being picked off by a predator like an owl or coyote, but I guess it’s possible.”

Because there have been no reports of the rabbit in recent weeks, Michel said it has probably already been snapped up by a predator.

“I suspect there’s a strong possibility that it’s no longer with us,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Town of Canmore’s contractor will begin trapping rabbits once sanctuaries are set up by the Earthanimal Humane Education and Rescue Society (EARS). Once they are filled up, the remaining rabbits will be culled.