YVR rabbit cull suspended, airport promises to seek 'alternative solutions' to control population
The cull of feral rabbits at Vancouver International Airport is on hold after community members contacted airport officials to suggest "different options," the airport said in a statement Wednesday.
The announcement comes one day after CTV News Vancouver reported that a contractor had been hired to shoot the rabbits, in a cull that began a few weeks ago.
Notices were sent out advising staff of the work, but airport employees told CTV News they didn't know the culling was already taking place, until a worker arrived for a night shift and was frightened when she saw a man in the parking lot with a rifle.
In its statement Wednesday, YVR stressed that the feral rabbits attract predators, which poses "a significant and immediate risk to airfield safety."
They are also an invasive species, the airport said, adding that the rabbits' population grew considerably as airport traffic slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We undertook culling activities to manage the population and associated risks," YVR said in its statement. "This is considered the most humane, safe and efficient method, and was used as a last resort at the time. Safety protocols were followed and posed no risk to operations, employees or passersby."
The airport says it will now "re-evaluate" the methods available for controlling the rabbit population and look for "alternative solutions."
"Thank you to those who offered perspective and solutions," the airport said.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's St. John Alexander
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.