Rabbits run rampant at local park

Maureen Grapes, Hastings, says rabbits are running rampant in Frimley Park. PHOTO / PAUL TAYLOR

A rampant colony of rabbits is taking over Frimley Park and it appears they're multiplying by the day.

Local woman Maureen Grapes counted up to 20 of the furry creatures on her early morning walk at the weekend.

One or two wouldn't be so bad but in the past fortnight there were many more than that, and they weren't keeping to themselves.

"I just love the rose garden but with all those rabbits it reminds me of walking through a flock of sheep," she said.

"There's a big old poplar tree and they seem to like it under there, they are in the hydrangea garden, they are in the rose garden ... they are wild and they are literally breeding like rabbits."

While Hastings District Council gardeners spent hours keeping the grounds in order and flowers blooming, the pests could easily reverse it all.

The rabbits mostly came out early in the morning and at night but seemed quite tame and were not afraid of people passing close by - you might say the colony had become accustomed to city life.

"They are not scared of anything, they just hop out and front and look back at you ... I can see it's an increasing problem, it's almost seems like every day there's more," she said.
"My issue is trying to save this beautiful park."

When a call to HDC Animal Control yielded no result, Ms Grapes penned a letter to the council though she's not sure what the result of that will be.

"There are many issues in this city, the country and the world - this one is minor but if they are left to run wild I hate to think what they will do."

Parks Service Delivery Business Unit general manager Rod Sheridan agreed population numbers this season were certainly at the higher end of the scale.

"This summer has been one of the worst on record for rabbits," he said. "The rabbit population in Frimley Park does seem greater than in past years and there has been some damage done to the grassy areas. However, the playing fields remain in good condition."

A meeting with a local pest-control service has been arranged for later in the week to gather expert advice on how to control the rampant rabbits.

"We will also check other council-owned parks to see if there is need to widen the control programme."