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Posted: **Sun Apr 16, 2006 11:07 pm**

By New Zealand correspondent Peter Lewis

Farmers on New Zealand's South Island have been counting bunnies this Easter, but not the chocolate variety.

Rabbit numbers are again building to plague proportions in some areas.

More than 12,000 rabbits have been culled in central Otago over the weekend during Alexandra's annual Great Easter Bunny Hunt.

The winning team, the Hare Raising Mutineers, bagged more than 1,400 rabbits over two days, beating last year's total by about 300.

The rabbit population seems to have developed an immunity to the calici virus, introduced from Australia 10 years ago, and numbers are gradually building again across the South Island.

Landowners in New Zealand's premier farming region of Canterbury have been given legal notice this season to cut rabbit numbers.

To drive that message home, bunny burgers and sausages were given away at a local agricultural show this weekend.

Gordon.

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:39 am**

I would agree that the timing was tasteless but...

Rabbits are a real pest in our part of the world. They utterly destroy the vegetation and help to wipe out whole species of native animals.

Are they not a problem in Utah?

Take care.

Gordon.

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:51 am**

Bunnies are not a problem here, but are considered very beloved animals.

Don't they protest against horrible activities such as this?

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:59 am**

Skunks are not known in Australia or New Zealand. There are few natural preditors and so the rabbit run riot.

When I was a kid I was out hunting with my brother with a single shot .22 rifle and bragged that if I closed my eyes and aimed and pulled the trigger I could shoot a rabbit.

I did and I did.

I could not miss.

Gordon.

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:01 am**

And you say there are no skunks in NZ...............................

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:12 am**

New Zealanders are the most polite and kind and helpful people in the world.

If you are a world traveler you have to visit New Zealand.

Take care.

Gordon.

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:15 am**

The rabbit in our area has exploded too. I guess the coyotes are slacking off or have lost their taste for rabbit. :rolleyes:

Posted: **Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:31 am**

There's no real hunting season here for coyotes. And I sure as hell hope there are no cougars in our area. :-2

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Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.

Bunny Hunting Easter in N Z.