PARIS’ rabbits can breathe a sigh of relief and continue merrily feasting on the French capital’s vegetation after the city reversed an order classifying them as a nuisance.

The order was adopted last year to stop what authorities said is damage being caused by the animals, notably on the large lawns around the Invalides monument complex in the city.

It would have given the city the authority to eliminate the rabbit population in a move that outraged local activists and animal rights groups, who swiftly obtained a court order suspending it.

But Paris police chief Didier Lallement reversed the order without waiting for a final legal ruling, said the Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) group.

The new order was issued on February 2 and first reported by the Le Parisien daily.

PAZ head Amandine Sanvisens told AFP that police provided no proof that the animals are causing any damage.

“We are pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals that live in the city and want to promote non-lethal methods.”

There are about 250 wild rabbits living within inner city Paris, according to local authorities, with their numbers increasing along with those of foxes, swans and other fauna. – AFP, April 29, 2022.