Another Wild Rabbit Slaughter in the Yard

[Niagara]

As I went to retrieve the trash can and recycling tote from the curb this morning, I noticed rabbit fur in the yard.

Last summer there was a group of foxes that circled the house and they killed a wild rabbit in the driveway.

I don't try to tame the wild rabbits, our yard is more clover than grass. Our yard is popular with bees and wild rabbits.

It's upsetting to find this. I know it's a part of nature. If the culprit would slay the rabbits in a neighbor's yard it wouldn't be upsetting because then I wouldn't know about it.

Perhaps it's time to call a lawn service company for weed control (for the spring/summer) to discourage wild rabbits from inhabiting it.

Any other thoughts or suggestions are welcomed.

[apcalc]

1. All wild creatures have to eat. Let nature be nature.

It is hard, I know. Each time a hawk kills one of the birds I feed it is hard to see. ( The theory is that they capture the slow and/or sick.) Will I stop feeding the birds? No. My feeders sustain them over the winter.

[Niagara]

6. Thank you

You're so correct, it's hard to see.

[hlthe2b]

2. Well, you and I surely must feel very differently about wild rabbits. I have created hiding spots

for them, under the front eves of the house and around bushes so that they have some chance against the occasional coyote and the more frequent great horned owls and red tailed hawks. I actually am pleased to have them around, though I do monitor them for signs of die off that could signal a cyclical epidemic of tularemia that can spread to pets and humans. In the winter, I'll put out a bit of timothy hay across the snow to keep them from losing too much weight and so they are healthy by spring.

I can't say trying to eliminate them would have been something I'd consider. I'm very protective of them, actually.

[In_The_Wind]

3. The bunnies must love you.

[Niagara]

4. Please don't take me the wrong way

I love seeing wild rabbits in the yard.

They do have hiding spots but they keep getting slaughtered in the yard. It's upsetting to me.

I figured if I could discourage wild rabbits from inhabiting the yard, maybe they wouldn't be killed by predators.

At this point, I have no idea how to protect them from predators.

[hlthe2b]

8. It is a population balance and predators do aid in maintaining that balance, which ultimately keeps

populations healthier as the weaker or sick are most likely to be picked off. I have to accept that, though I just try to give them a fair chance by keeping them relatively well fed and secure. That is about all we can do.

[Lochloosa]

5. Are the poisons better than the foxes?

It's natural selection. Grow more clover.

[Cattledog]

7. Cats kill more baby rabbits than any other animal.

[Paladin]

9. Cats are murderous on the bird population, as well.

Cats go for easy prey, and there's nothing easier than a nest full of baby birds.

[akraven]

10. If you have cats, the "empties" from the litter box works.

Not only on fox, but wolves and moose.

[Niagara]

12. Thank you

We have 2 cats and 3 litter boxes between the both of them, so I will definitely give this a try.

[Duppers]

11. We had a small fox living in and around

Our property. We also had at least a dozen rabbits - they were everywhere until mr. Fox showed up. But he was a nice little critter who followed us & our dog on our nightly walks. He'd even walk within ~12' of us. Apparently he's now moved on to where there's more rabbits but I miss him more than I do the rabbits who are now repopulating our property.

Sorry about your rabbit. If I'd seen remains, it'd probably have been bothered me too. But you should've seen this friendly, gorgeous little eastern grey fox.



And they can climb trees! One night my flashlight beam caught ours in a tree after my big Lab gave chase. Glad he escaped her.

[Niagara]

14. Your photos are amazing!

Thank you for sharing your amazing photos!

Your friendly, former property dwelling fox is gorgeous. I never knew that they could climb trees.

I ordered an ultrasonic fox deterrent and I'm going to place feline scat in the corners of the yard. I only hope this doesn't scare the wild rabbits away.

[Duppers]

16. Thanks, but I found these online.

Last edited Sun Dec 23, 2018, 11:27 PM - Edit history (1)

On one of the nights the fox followed us, we were still thinking it was a cat until about several hundred yards into our walk, our big Lab, who normally stays by our sides, gave chase. We thought it strange because she loves cats and normally didn't chase them. They ran into a group of trees. I followed and shined my flashlight up the tree and lo and behold, a little face with big pointy ears stared back at me. I blinked not believing my eyes. It was the cutest little face too. I yelled at my hubs, "it's a little FOX!!"

I have more stories about my encounters with my "pet" wild fox if you'd like to hear them. This little one was not afraid of me! And I was truly fond of her/him. I miss it.
After all, most of our most treasured, loved pets are predators who'd kill rabbits if they were starving and could. But I wish you luck saving your rabbits.

Btw, not all foxes climb trees, only this sub-species.

[orleans]

13. i had two or three

dead rabbits in the yard, skinned--it WAS horrible

i also had a bunny massacre thanks to a fucking neighborhood cat (with bunny hands and feet and heads sprawled all over my patio and nearby grass).

i don't have a solution to offer, but i feel your anguish over such a thing. (of little help but

[Niagara]

15. I'm so sorry

That is horrible. I'm sorry that you had to see the aftermath of the bunny massacre.

I believe the culprit is a fox. The remains are left in the same manner. A 3-5" mass of bunny fur and the rest of the fur is scattered like snow. No hands, feet, heads or bodies have been left behind. I pick up the fur that is left, bury it in the garden and place bricks as markers.

Thank you for understanding and for the hug! Here's one back at ya