Most Kelowna Rabbits Will Likely Be Culled

Live trap the rabbits and kill them.

That's the method that EBB Consulting will use to handle Kelowna's bunny problem, after Council awarded them the contract.

But the city is still putting in an effort for a more humane approach.  Mayor Sharon Shepherd says, "In a second resolution, Council has also asked the purchasing department to evaluate an opportunity for a different method to be used than primarily culling."

Councillor Norm Letnick says, "We've also asked Staff to work with the proponent who is successful in getting the bid to see if they can trap the rabbits and then hand them over to some non-profit groups that could then take care of the rabbits in a humane fashion."

Shepherd also says the Request for Proposals didn't include the method of handling the problem as a criteria for selection.

She tells us, "Staff did the evaluation and they were not directed to not consider culling as an option by Council.  Therefore, for the company they chose, that's their primary tool."

The bill will run about $54,0000, but City Staff says that may change if EBB Consulting can hand over some of the rabbits to a group rather than kill them all - it would likely be cheaper.

Denise Wong - Astral Media Radio News (Kelowna)