Victorian pair Ya-Chih Wu and Shi-Ying Chen fined for taking rabbit to Kangaroo Island illegally posing a serious threat to the environment

A Victorian couple has been sentenced for taking their pet rabbit to Kangaroo Island – on Easter Sunday. See the video.

A pet rabbit has landed its Victorian owners in hot water after they took it to Kangaroo Island on Easter Sunday putting the natural environment at serious risk.

Ya-Chih Wu and Shi-Ying Chen travelled to the island with their European rabbit Moji on April 17 last year, not realising it was prohibited.

The pair were walking the rabbit through a park on a lead at Penneshaw with one passer-by stopping to film the offending.

The filmer captioned the video: “Start the bunny plague on KI”.

Wu and Chen were eventually reported under the Environment Protection Act for possessing a category one class of animal in a controlled area.

The owners of Moji the rabbit have been sentenced for bringing the animal onto KI. Picture: Supplied

They were sentenced in the Environment, Resources and Development Court on Friday, where they were both fined $600 for the offending.

In sentencing, Judge Michael Durrant said the pair did not intend to dishonestly bring the rabbit onto the island.

“You deny having seen multiple signs upon arrival at the SeaLink port on the mainland,” Judge Durrant said.

“You both did not appreciate the environmental risk of your actions.”

Moji the rabbit, which was seized on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Supplied

Judge Durrant said Wu and Chen attempted to make inquiries on the internet about the suitability of bringing a rabbit to South Australia, however it was not an official government source.

“The introduction of a pest species like the European rabbit into Kangaroo Island could wreak havoc and endanger the survival of the native species,” he said.

“I was told you are remorseful and now appreciate the profound impact your offending could have had on the delicate kangaroo ecosystem.”

When imposing penalty, Judge Durrant said the main consideration was the protection and safety of the community.

“It is in the best interest of the community that the fragile balance and integrity of the environment is not threatened,” he said.

“The community expects visitors in controlled areas to adhere to the rules.”

However, Judge Durrant accepted that the pair were of good character.

“There was no continuing intention to dishonestly keep the rabbit on the island for a period,” Judge Durrant said.

“The fact that neither of you had prior knowledge of illegality is supported by the bold way you walked the rabbit on a leash in the park.”

Judge Durrant did not impose a conviction on either of the accused.

“Given all of those matters and the very unusual circumstances of this case, it is one of those rare occasions where it is appropriate to exercise the discretion not to impose a conviction,” he said.

Welcoming the decision, the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board chair Andrew Heinrich said the dangers to native wildlife and biodiversity from a rabbit infestationwould be a disaster.

“KI is free of rabbits, foxes, deer, goats, soon to be pigs and we are actively working on cats,” he said.

“As an island we are able to actively maintain our feral free status, and this requires enforcement.

“Island authorities put in a huge amount of effort to make travellers aware of the rules, including extensive signage, information on SeaLink ticketing, social media, websites and through tourism brochures. There is really no excuse for ignorance in these matters. ”