• Raltoid@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Wildlife are just pests to these people,

    Rabbits are literally, by definition, pests. Since they cause millions in damages to farms every year.

    especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (such as agriculture or livestock production)

    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest

    If left unchecked, they breed into the thousands in a few years and eat the same amount as hundreds of sheep, deer, etc. they destroy their own local enviroment by killing plants. Reducing biodiversity, restricting food sources for other wild animals, etc.

    • Drusas@fedia.io
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      1 day ago

      It’s almost like they need more predators to keep the rabbit numbers in check. Oh wait, the ranchers are opposed to those as well.

      • FoxyFerengi@startrek.website
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        1 day ago

        Exactly! I’ve lived in this area for six years and just saw my first swift fox last month. They nearly went extinct because farmers were killing them. These little foxes eat rabbits, mice, and insects like grasshoppers, so you’d think they would be good to have around

    • FoxyFerengi@startrek.website
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      2 days ago

      Rabbit was the example given. But the robot stops for any animals, including sage grouse, swift fox, and black footed ferrets which are endangered in this area due to loss of habitat.