Who culled the rabbits at the cemetery?2 min read
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No one has claimed responsibility for a large-scale rabbit cull in the newer section of Waikaraka Park Cemetery, where carcasses were left scattered for up to two weeks.
Concerns about rabbits damaging nearby sports pitches were raised with Auckland Council by the neighbouring football and cricket clubs in mid-February. However, the council has confirmed that no rabbit control work was planned, funded, or approved for the site.
The founder of Friends of Waikaraka Park Cemetery, Elaine, said she had no issue with the rabbits in the cemetery itself, as they helped keep the grass short, though she understood the problems they posed for sports fields.
“One morning at the end of February, a volunteer contacted me to say there were carcasses lying all over the cemetery,” she says. “When we arrived the next day, the stench was so overwhelming that we couldn’t do our work and had to leave.”
She described the scene as distressing. “It was heartbreaking to see carcasses scattered throughout the cemetery.”
Initially, volunteers and members of the sports clubs believed the cull had been carried out by the council. However, Manager Area Operations for the Howick and Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Boards, Marcel Morgan, said no rabbit control activity was undertaken by the council at Waikaraka Cemetery during that time.
“This type of work involves advance planning and public notification, and none of that occurred at this site,” he says.
He added that when the council conducts rabbit control in public parks, it follows a formal process, including notifying sports clubs, volunteer groups, elected members, and the council contact centre, as well as installing signage and safety measures.
The discovery of the carcasses also raised concerns about potential risks to pets. Elaine says she worried that dogs could come into contact with poisoned rabbits. However, Marcel says that when the council undertakes rabbit control, it typically uses targeted burrow treatment with carbon dioxide or controlled pellet shooting.
“The use of poison bait is uncommon in busy public parks,” he said. “Approved methods are selected to minimise risks to people, pets, and the environment.”
With no authority taking responsibility, questions remain over who carried out the cull and why the carcasses were left unattended for so long.
