22 October 2008

Attention: The Editor
The Cape Times
P.O. Box 11
Cape Town
8000

Dear Sir

RELOCATE THE ROBBEN ISLAND RABBITS

The Robben Island Museum Management plan to kill thousands of rabbits on Robben Island is outrageous. When the management had sought to justify the culling of feral cats on the island, they had announced their concern that the cats could be a threat to the penguin population. Now it would appear that the rabbits were the primary source of food for the feral cats and not the sea birds. After all the rabbits were first introduced onto Robben Island in 1656, and they have not been described as a major problem until now.

It is deeply distressing that this government, which seems so incapable of dealing with violent crime, has shown such extraordinary energy in deforestation and culling! From killing the mountain goats on Table Mountain, to deforesting huge sections of the peninsula, and now, in the wake of killing cats on Robben Island, they are planning to kill up to 10,000 rabbits!

“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished.”Jeremiah 12:4

Capetonians cannot allow this senseless slaughter of Robben Island rabbits. Animal Welfare organisations, farm, guest lodge and animal sanctuary owners have come forward to offer to accommodate the Robben Island rabbits. Many other Capetonians would also surely be ready to adopt rabbits.

Let us all stand up and speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Dr. Peter Hammond

Director, Christian Action Network
P.O. Box 23632
Claremont, 7725
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: (021) 689-4481
Fax: (021) 685-5884
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za