SINGAPORE: At least two rabbits, believed to be abandoned pets, were sighted at Chestnut Nature Park over the past week and have since been rescued.
According to local rabbit rescue group Bunny Wonderland, the bunnies were likely abandoned by their owners.
“Past week, we were alerted to multiple rabbit sightings at Chestnut Nature Park,” the group said in a Facebook post on 7 July.
Thanks to caring individuals and volunteers, both rabbits have since been safely secured.
“Abandoning pets is cruel — and illegal,” the group reminded the public.
Sightings Reported by Members of the Public
On 2 July, Facebook user Trey Phang reported seeing two Dutch rabbits near a drain at the park.
“Not the kind of wildlife anyone hopes to see—two abandoned Dutch bunnies spotted near the drain,” he wrote in a post published on 7 July.
Phang said he and others had tried to catch the rabbits, but “they bolted like kangaroos.”
He expressed hope that the authorities would take action promptly.
The next day, animal lover Zac Chua encountered a brown-and-white rabbit that resembled the ones Phang had described.
“Initially he was quite trusting and thirsty, and he was able to drink out of my hands. But once I tried to hold him, he bolted and ran into the forest,” Chua told Mothership.
After around 15 minutes of coaxing, Chua managed to calm the rabbit and bring it home.
He later shared a post on Facebook in an attempt to locate the owner, and named the rabbit “Chestnut” — presumably after the park where it was found.
On 6 July, a Bunny Wonderland volunteer successfully located and rescued the second rabbit.
It is now under the care of the House Rabbit Society Singapore (HRSS), where it is safe and scheduled for a veterinary check-up later in the week.
The rabbit will eventually be put up for adoption.
As for Chestnut, Chua said he intends to keep the rabbit as a family pet if no owner comes forward.
“He’s probably the bravest bunny I have ever encountered,” he said.
Investigation Underway
Walter Leong, Executive Director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Singapore, confirmed that a report had been lodged concerning the suspected pet abandonment.
The SPCA has since referred the case to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board for further investigation.
If found guilty of failing in their duty of care towards their pets—including abandonment—individuals may be charged under the Animals and Birds Act.
First-time offenders face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
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