MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 22 The population of eastern cottontail rabbits has exploded in the United States, resulting in damage to gardens and increasing citizen complaints.
No one is quite sure why the bunny population has risen so dramatically. Some blame the decrease in crow populations; others blame this year's cicada invasion, which provided food for creatures that would normally feed on rabbits, The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday.
Dena Anastos of Morton Grove, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, said rabbits have destroyed $700 worth of shrubs and flowers in her garden.
"I have been here 47 years, and this is the worst I have experienced," she said.
Chicago's Animal Care and Control Department said complaints involving rabbits are on the rise, the newspaper said.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
