Lionhead rabbits invading Wilton Manors may have a chance if rescue organization gets help, activists say

East Coast Rabbit Rescue responds to Jenata Isles neighborhood

WILTON MANORS, Fla. ā€“ More exotic pets are turning into invasive species in South Florida. This time the domesticated lionhead rabbit has taken over a Wilton Manors community.

Alicia Griggs said there is a growing population of rabbits with heavy wool manes around their heads hopping around in her Jenata Isles neighborhood.

Griggs, a real estate agent, said a careless neighbor left some behind.

ā€œShe dumped the rabbits in the streets without being fixed and theyā€™re multiplying,ā€ Griggs said.

There is an effort to rescue the rabbits. Monica Mitchell, of East Coast Rabbit Rescue, a nonprofit organization, is ready to help, but Griggs needs to raise thousands.

ā€œThis location is not an ideal place for them,ā€ Mitchell said. ā€œWe caught like 19 bunnies today and some have injuries in their heads.ā€

Mitchell worries that some of the rabbits may have diseases that can be contagious to humans and pets.

ā€œThey are eating grass that people put pesticide on, there is no source of water for them maybe just the rain,ā€ Mitchell said. ā€œThe organizationā€™s plan is to neuter, vaccinate and microchip the bunnies, and rehome several of the bunnies that were rescued.ā€

The rabbits were also digging holes in peopleā€™s yards and damaging wires. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which responds to nonnative species did not find a threat, so Wilton Manors commissioners decided to hire a trapper.

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