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unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 07:58 AM Mar 2016

Thousands of rabbits killed in New Zealand Easter hunt

http://www.dw.com/en/thousands-of-rabbits-killed-in-new-zealand-easter-hunt/a-19143805

Hunters in New Zealand have slaughtered almost 10,000 bunnies in an annual rabbit-shooting event in the southeast of the country. Organizers say the Easter hunt aims to curb the ballooning rabbit population.

Thousands of rabbits killed in New Zealand Easter hunt
Natalie Muller
26.03.2016

Bunnies may be a much-loved Easter symbol, but in parts of New Zealand's south island they're considered destructive pests. In one district, the problem has given rise to an unusual Easter tradition: a 24-hour bunny shooting spree.

More than 300 hunters descended on Central Otago for this year's "Great Easter Bunny Hunt," which kicked off on Easter Friday and ran through the night.

Twenty-seven teams from across New Zealand took part in the event, now in its 25th year, and together they killed a total of 9,680 rabbits, according to organizer Eugene Ferreira.

~snip~

Ferreira says rabbits have caused major problems for farmers in the region, ravaging farmland and raiding carrot and cauliflower crops. The species was introduced to New Zealand by settlers in the 1800s and the population has grown rapidly ever since.
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Thousands of rabbits killed in New Zealand Easter hunt (Original Post) unhappycamper Mar 2016 OP
Rabbits -- they'll make more rjsquirrel Mar 2016 #1
Only one of many pests. rickford66 Mar 2016 #2
An invasive species run amok -- look what happened in Australia. eppur_se_muova Mar 2016 #3
 

rjsquirrel

(4,762 posts)
1. Rabbits -- they'll make more
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 08:08 AM
Mar 2016

Mm, rabbit stew.

Notice we never seem to run out of rabbits?

Eat moar rabbits NOT squirrels.

Always appreciate the hard hitting late breaking news about what's for lunch in New Zealand.

rickford66

(5,498 posts)
2. Only one of many pests.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 08:35 AM
Mar 2016

Back in 1969 I met a professional hunter in CH CH who was paid for each deer he shot and left to rot. I think he had to bring an ear back for proof. We also saw a mountain of rabbits in McKenzie(?) country one time. I mean a real mountain maybe 20 feet high of zillions of rabbits.

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