Quiet neighbourhood in shock after rabbit shot with crossbow

Residents of a relatively quiet north Edmonton neighbourhood were shocked over the weekend to find a neighbourhood jackrabbit had been shot through the head with a crossbow.

At around 11 a.m. Saturday, concerned neighbours called animal rescue organization WILDNorth after seeing an adult white-tailed jackrabbit with a yellow bolt embedded in its skull.

At first, residents thought the jackrabbit, which was seen in the yard of a home near 133 Avenue and 133 Street in the Wellington neighbourhood, was carrying a stick in its mouth.

“Someone shooting a bow in the area is a little concerning,” resident Larry Maze said.

“That means someone has a crossbow and thought it was a good idea to shoot this rabbit in the head.

“It’s crazy.”

Kim Blomme, WILDNorth director of wildlife services, was one of two volunteers who tried to capture the animal for about an hour.

She said the bolt was protruding about a foot from either side of the jackrabbit’s head just below the jaw line.

“Quite surprisingly he was quite active ... he was acting as if nothing was wrong,” Blomme said.

“We did see him munching on grass, but I think the biggest issue is that it’s going to impede his movement, so he’s going to continuously be traumatizing that area.”

Attempts to capture the jackrabbit were unsuccessful and people who see it are urged to call WILDNorth at 780-914-4118.