Posted by Racer on June 7, 2008, at 9:31:58
In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49
Life is hard. Animals have managed to survive in this world for a long time. Some animals do not survive, and that's sad -- and it's also natural.
In this case, leaving them alone is the best thing to do. The mother will have all sorts of instincts and likely experience regarding how to protect her offspring from excessive heat -- WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION. Too much human smell around her burrow is more likely to cause problems than to help. The farmer down the road probably has nothing to do with the mother's leg -- that's much more likely to be caused by a neighborhood dog. Few cats bother rabbits -- in fact, rabbits are pretty well able to chase cats off, in my experience. The water you put out, and especially the ice, will have extensive chemical treatment, and will likely taste and smell funny to the mother. Leave some out, by all means, but try to minimize the time you spend anywhere near the burrow.
If you call animal control, they're not likely to do much. If you call to have them come get these rabbits, they're more likely to come out and exterminate them. The very best thing you can do is to leave them alone.
And the hardest thing an animal lover has to do in these situations is the hardest -- leave them alone.
And if you don't believe what everyone is saying here, and you choose to do something different, just remember that you came here and asked for advice. You got advice. Continuing to ask for advice, because you don't like what you've heard, isn't going to change the advice you're being given.
poster:Racer
thread:832937
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20080601/msgs/833443.html