Why you should not dump/release rabbits?

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THEY ARE NOT WILD ANIMALS, just because they are living feral lives on golf courses, in parks.
They are domesticated animals that cannot fend for themselves as they no longer have the capacity to ‘think on their feet‘.
They are European rabbits and not hares and cannot cope in our harsh environment. See the difference in images below. For more info on the differences between the two click here.

Difference between hares and rabbits

HARES


RABBITS


As they are not wildlife, the law does not protect them. Whereas dassies, hadedas, etc., are protected by law. If injured call organisations such as Wildserve or Friends of Free Wildlife.
People set their dogs on rabbits, poison them, use them for target practice, or run them over.
Rabbits are prone to reproductive cancers.
Long-haired rabbits suffer as their fur get knotted, it pulls at their skin and sometimes pulls out. The wounds get infected, and you can imagine what happens next.
White rabbits are mostly albinos and suffer under the harsh African sun.
It is also, BTW, illegal according to the Animals Protection Act No. 71 Of 1962.
…any person found guilty of abandoning an animal could be sentenced to a maximum fine of R40 000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment.
SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abrahams