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Bunnies stolen from Nanaimo 4-H Barnyard

NANAIMO – Doe rabbit and four kittens stolen from Beban Park 4-H barn.

Nanaimo 4-H Barnyard staff are hoping a doe rabbit and her four kittens will be returned to Beban Park.

Barnyard staff discovered the bunnies were missing Sunday morning during a weekend check of the animals.

"We came in Sunday to find them and their food dishes gone," said Sabrina Meyer, a member of the Gabriola 4-H Club.

The rabbits, which are from Gabriola, were being displayed at the barnyard, which is set up so people, especially children, can pet and interact with domesticated animals.

The rabbits taken were pure bred mini lops. The rabbits are a variety that are smaller in size and have floppy ears.

The mother is black and the babies have golden seal tip coats.

The theft was reported to police, but there is little investigators can do.

"They can't really do anything because there are no security cameras and no witnesses," Meyer said.

Meyer said this is the first theft she is aware of since the 4-H Barnyard was moved to Beban Park from Bowen Park in 2008. She has been lending her rabbits to the barnyard since it moved.

The rabbits might have been stolen because of their size and docile nature.

"The rabbits are the smallest and quietest of the animals there, so they're  easier to transport and don't make a lot of noises when you pick them up," Meyer said.

The barn is open daily, admission by donation, through July and August.

Anyone with information about the theft of these animals is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.