Tame wild rabbit !

[Answerprancer]

I was in Richmond Park yesterday and I happened upon this bloody great big rabbit.
It was grazing next to a large fenced off enclosure, I did a double take as it didn't bolt like they usually do. I got off my bike, went right up to it, crouched down and snapped a few pictures - it seemed totally unphased by my close proximity (literally within stroking distance) and no it didn't appear to have myxomatosis.
So what was that all about?

My theories:
a) it was a recently released pet
b) it has learnt that most humans don't want to do it any harm
c) it's intelligent enough to stay close to the enclosure where it can bolt in an emergency
d) other

See photo):
http://i1028.photobuc...48/Photator/Bunny.jpg

[LoftyLottie]

Perhaps it couldn't see very well or had recently been stunned by something.
Nice looking rabbit though.

[milly143]

aaahhh, nice picture. He's cute. Maybe they're becoming a bit like the squirrels in London. They almost crave attention from humans.

[mike11111]

It's an ABer and recognises a fellow mate. You've probably been cyberchatting in the past whilst downing a few sherbets in the wee small hours. You have forgotten him, but he hasn't forgotten you.

[LoftyLottie]

Quite probably Milly somewhere like Richmond Park that gets loads of visitors and they don't get shot by farmers (like they do all around my house).

[merciasounds]

I think like foxes, wild rabbits are getting bolder - on the farm when the 'banger' goes off the birds fly but the rabbits stay, especially in the brassicas, munching away, much to my brother's annoyance!

[LoftyLottie]

They redrilled and resowed the field behind us because the rabbits had decimated the crop. They have been gassing the rabbits and the scarers are on the go from dawn until dask. Guess what, there are just as many rabbits and the new crop has been decimated as well.

I love the way they all come out onto the fields in the morning and evening and just sit there pefectly still.

I can't help liking them, even though they cause havoc in my garden on occasions.

[wolf63]

Rabbits can sometimes just 'freeze' if they are really scared and think they are about to be attacked. However if it kept on munching it can't be that.

It is nice to see the wild animals thriving amongst all the human chaos.

[McMouse]

So that's where he got to. I'll be over to Richmond sharpish as we're planning rabbit pie tonight.

[Answerprancer]

Hello Mike :-)

[wildwood]

There are many wild rabbits that are kept as pets. This is obviously one. We have picked up the odd baby rabbit on the road and dropped it off at the SPCA, it seems the parents were shot or worse, myxo.

[boxtops]

If you to Gatwick Airport there are rabbits on nearly every roundabout and verge, they are so used to people and traffic that humans and cars no longer bother them.

[JonnyBoy12]

Answer D: People have fed it some food several times, and it has lost all fear of humans. I once had a squirrel in London come right up to me, even though I was not offering it any food at the time.

[mrs.chappie]

Awww, what a cute little fella!

The rabbit's quite cute too.