Bunnies Burned for Heat

The oldest ancestor of modern-day rabbits may have lived 53 million years ago in what is now west-central India. Credit: Stock.xchng.

In many suburbs around the world, bunnies take over, multiplying like, well, you know. They thrive on the green grass and ample water provided in and around housing developments — they're the subway rats of the suburbs.

Sweden has come up with a novel solution: burn them.

Rabbits culled from parks are of course first killed, then their remains used to help run biofuel plants that heat homes.

"Those who support the culling of rabbits surely think it’s good to use the bodies for a good cause. But it feels like they’re trying to turn the animals into an industry rather than look at the main problem,” said Anna Johannesson of the Society for the Protection of Wild Rabbits.

Some of the blame, however, goes back to residents, who officials say release pet rabbits that contribute to the problem.