In some Vancouver parks, notably Jericho Beach, there are populations of invasive European Rabbits. These are not native wildlife, but the descendants of abandoned pets.
Drawn by their fluffy tails, twitching noses, and relative tameness, people often try to handle and feed them. These interactions pose serious health threats to both the animals and public, and have negative knock-on effects on the environment.
We work with wildlife experts, the BC SPCA, and the Invasive Species Council of BC on long-term research and monitoring of rabbit populations and their impact on Vancouver’s park ecosystems.
Invasive species
Invasive species can out-compete native species for food and space, damage ecosystems, disrupt food sources, and introduce parasites and disease. They are the second greatest threat to biodiversity following habitat loss.
