On Monday, the B.C. Supreme Court overturned an injunction that had prohibited the University of Victoria from trapping hundreds of feral rabbits that live on its campus.
The injunction, obtained on July 30 by local activist Roslyn Cassells, was able to delay the university's plans to trap the rabbits and gave activists enough time to obtain permits to move the animals to three sanctuaries in B.C. and one in Texas.
Cassells told ctvbc.ca that she thinks the temporary injunction saved many of the furry creatures.
"We had that extra month, and we were able to get together all the finalized government permits in place during that time," she said.
"We've also started work on a sanctuary in Whiskey Creek which will hold an additional 400 rabbits, and is set to open in November."
There are currently 450 spaces available for rabbits on Vancouver Island, and another 1,000 spaces being offered at the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas.
Tom Smith, Executive Director of Facilities Management with UVic, says that he will be satisfied if these facilities can accommodate the rabbits.
"We feel that there can be a place for all these rabbits. We just want to make sure that those coordinating the efforts are able to find the rabbits homes (and) it appears there will be enough space to take all of the rabbits that we will be catching."
That means that the traps are out, but the call to cull the rabbits is no more.
Smith said that trappings have already started and will continue this week. They hope to trap between 400 and 500 rabbits over the next month and then resume later in the fall
The animals must be taken to veterinarians to be sterilized before being transferred to their new homes.
