Christchurch Bunny Bid for Freedom

Keen-eyed army personnel at the Christchurch CBD cordon put some smiles on the faces of children at a nearby childcare centre this week.

Lolly the Lop-Eared Rabbit burrowed her way under the fence to freedom at ABC Salisbury Street earlier this week headed for what she undoubtedly thought would be greener pastures.

Staff went door-to-door and circulated ‘missing’ flyers in vain and Centre Director Jan Greaves says the children were distraught.

“Lolly is a big hit with children and staff and, after everything we’ve been through here, it really was the last straw,” she says.

Lolly was spotted by army personnel at the cordon on Wednesday, recognised immediately, and delivered back to the centre to the relief of everyone.

“It’s our own little good news triumph in trying times and we are just so thankful that the guys took the time to bring her back what with everything they have on their plate at present,” says Greaves.

No-ones quite sure what one-year-old Lolly was thinking although, since the earthquake, she had been living with Greaves at her home and lasted only one day back at the re-opened centre before making a break for it.

“Maybe she associates the centre with the earthquake and was just trying to get back to my place,” wonders Grieve.

Lolly is now safely back at the centre, some additional Bunny-proofing has been organised, and army staff at the cordon have enjoyed some delicious centre baking as a thank you.

ABC Developmental Learning Centres NZ has 27 centres in Christchurch with four yet to re-open.