Canmore, Alberta: The Town Overrun by Feral Bunnies

When exiting Hwy 1 into Canmore, Alberta, you might notice a striking number of little furry brown and black bunnies adorning the grassy railroad tracks and parking lots. This bustling mountain town, home to about 14,000 residents, is renowned for its hiking, biking, and skiing trails, in addition to its close proximity to Banff National Park. Recently, Canmore has become known for its unique population of feral rabbits.

These are not the typical hares that wander through Alberta; rather, they are feral descendants of domesticated pet bunnies. According to estimates from The Town of Canmore in 2018, there are roughly 2000 bunny residents. This figure is echoed by locals such as Nicole Rainey, who claims there are “at least 1500-2000, but likely more.”

Rainey is one of many residents actively working to keep bunnies around, as part of an unofficial conservation movement. The rabbits mean more than just wildlife; they are seen as companions. Rainey mentions, “I hand-feed and pet some of them. They’re like pets. They have strong domestic instincts. They meet me at the door and come running when I call them.” For many locals, the presence of these rabbits adds a touch of magic to daily life. “A lot of people come to Canmore just for the bunnies,” notes Rainey.

The Origins of Canmore’s Bunnies

The origins of the rabbits were initially a local mystery. However, after some investigation, local resident Jesse James, who has lived in Canmore for seven years and cares for his own family of bunnies, unraveled the tale. According to him, a Canmore resident in the 1980s had owned 12 domesticated bunnies in the northeast neighborhood of Silvertip. When the Town Council discovered this, they were not pleased. Due to pressure, carelessness, or simply deciding he didn’t want 12 pets anymore, the man released them. James reflects, “After the emancipation, the bunnies reproduced so quickly that 40 years later, we find ourselves with a bunny problem.”

The Best Places to Spot the Bunnies

For bunny enthusiasts, the prime location to encounter these charming creatures is Teepeetown, a neighborhood northeast of Canmore near the Canmore Hospital and the former Canmore Lodge, just off Mountain Avenue.

In fact, taking a stroll down any of Canmore’s avenues, you are almost guaranteed to see at least one bunny, likely more. Local tattoo artist Devin Boutcher shares, “I saw about 17 on my walk here,” referring to his commute to work.

The official stance of the Town of Canmore, articulated by Robyn Dinnadge, the Manager of Communications, describes the rabbits as a “wildlife attractant.” They can draw in more dangerous wildlife such as cougars and coyotes. In 2012, the town launched the Feral Rabbit Management Program (FRMP), a taxpayer-funded initiative intended to provide resources to contractors for trapping and euthanizing the bunnies using gas. This program met significant pushback from Canmore’s residents.

As of 2018, Canmore’s mayor, John Borrowman, even discussed the possibility of scrapping the program. Nonetheless, in 2020, Dinnadge noted that she was “unaware of any other program that is being considered for the feral rabbits.” Consequently, the town continues to carry out their euthanasia efforts.

Despite the town’s lack of effective conservation actions, residents like Nicole Rainey have undertaken personal crusades to save the rabbits. Rainey claims that the program is ineffective, saying, “it works temporarily … but by this time next year, it’s the same. It seems pointless to me. You can never really get rid of them.” Nevertheless, she cherishes the bunnies, stating, “The Canmore bunnies were very magical for my kids when they were little. They are gentle creatures.”