Bunting

Bunting Scientific Name: Sylvilagus bunniculus Nicknames: Flying rabbit, Vampire bunny

Physical Description Body Type: Rodentia Maximum Size: 45cm Colouration: Black Biological Information Diet: Omnivorous Habitat: Discovery Date: 1173 AN Locale:  Lac Glacei,  Ashinthael Related Species: None Threat: Least Concern

The Bunting, also called the Flying rabbit, or Vampire bunny, is an invasive species of rabbit that has become widespread across northeast Apollonia. The creature is the result of a botched experiment by magicians in Ashinthael. Attempting to impress the monarchs of that country, several young magicians conspired to create a new species. Choosing something rather docile, the common rabbit, they crossed it with another common rodent, the bat. The result was the creation of an omnivorous flying rabbit with bat wings and the body of a hare. They created a male and female pair with the hopes of winning accolades from the King and Queen; and possibly with the ulterior motive of selling offspring as novelty pets. What the magicians didn't anticipate was the overwhelming fecundity of the species. Within several months of their creation, the pair had produced two litters of over a dozen babies. Several escaped captivity and, with the lack of any natural predators, their population exploded exponentially.

Within a year, buntings were appearing in the thousands. Like locusts, their omnivorous diet allowed them to eat anything and everything in their path. Ashinthael was laid waste and they then spread into neighboring areas. At present, the magicians at St. Nova Academy are working on finding a solution.

International migration

Reports of buntings in metropolitan Meckelnburgh were first made in IV.1737 AN near Sanktago. Chancellor Gibbs gave a statement that the Ministry for Agriculture “rejects all supernatural origins for the population explosion of the bunting,” instead attributing the boom to abnormally warmer spring weather.

@ChancellorMB There is no evidence that Ashinthael’s sudden collapse comes from an epidemic of vampiric bunnies, but rather disease and a failed harvest brought on by mismanagement from the kingdom’s government. While a small population may establish itself in the Treynor Archipelago, our polar winter is expected to wipe out any large migration by year’s end.

The border between Meckelnburgh and former Ashinthael was closed with quarantine checks and pest inspections placed on the remainder of Meckelnburgh’s land border. An unlimited hunting season was declared against the bats.

Detachments of the Hurmu Fyrð, on double pay, fortified by an ample gin ration, and generously equipped with flamethrowers and thermite grenades, were duly dispatched to the frontier with Ashinthael so as to impose a quarantine, in the form of a firebreak.

Reports of buntings spreading into Lac Glacei were seen quickly following the collapse of Ashinthael. Some misidentifications were reported, often confusing normal bats or rabbits for buntings. Animal control officers however confirmed reports of captured buntings in Heathersland, Kloss and Saksenlant. Local control officers in Heathersland used poisoned bait with marginal success and were able to create netted barricades along the border to keep intrusion minimal. Efforts in Kloss and Saksenlant were less successful, and by mid 1737 reports indicated that buntings were present as far north as Metbuurg.

Control

Scientists in Lac Glacei worked quickly to find a control method for the rapidly-spreading Bunting population. Working in conjunction with veterinarians, scientists, conservation biologists and many others, a sterilization treatment was developed that would specifically neutralize Bunting biology and prevent them from reproducing. The formulation was then mass-produced in pelletized form and broadcast via plane over impacted areas. Early reports indicated a drastic drop in the fecundity of the species and widespread success. The formulation was quickly shared with other states that have either reported Buntings, such as Meckelnburgh, or may be impacted by the spreading population, such as Hurmu and Cakaristan. Lac Glacei also said that it will conduct flyovers over the remains of Ashinthael to subdue the Bunting population there as well. Scientists indicated that it will require a full annual cycle to see the full extent of the formulation and determine its success rate.