Article content

After six years of trapping and euthanization, the fate of Canmore’s feral rabbits could be in flux again.

The topic hopped back into local lawmakers’ laps with the release of a report by a human-wildlife coexistence task force that recommends permanently removing the animals.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Canmore’s rabbit hole: At $300 for each bunny caught, town concedes eradication hasn’t worked Back to video

That suggestion, and others targeting so-called food attractants in the mountain town drawing in wildlife such as cougars, coyotes and even bears, will likely be further discussed, said Mayor John Borrowman.

“It became obvious pretty quickly that eliminating (rabbits) through our program would not be successful,” he said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if it changes.”

It’s been an intensely divisive issue in the town, said the mayor.

Since the trapping and euthanization program began in 2012, the town has caught 1,275 rabbits at a cost of $381,300 — an average of $300 per animal.

It seems expensive, said Borrowman, though if it saved the lives of cougars and even humans, it would be money well spent.