SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

The Passerby and The Rabbit
Nicolas Arthur Wilke
On February 15, 2023, at 8:53 P.M. An anonymous Passerby came to the scene where a
common Desert Rabbit was in the middle of the road. The Rabbit appeared to be in shock.
The Passerby pulled their vehicle over with hazards on, stepped out of the vehicle, and
stepped towards The Rabbit in an attempt to coax the Rabbit off to the side of the Road (into
the Desert). Upon closer inspection of the scene, the passerby observed another Rabbit that
was to the right side of the road; this Rabbit had been crushed by another passing vehicle.
Stepping closer to The Rabbit that was in shock, it was then that The Passerby noticed The
Rabbit's Nose was completely torn off from the face, blood was covering the entirety of the
mouth and chest and the right eye had sustained severe damage. The Passerby took blankets
out of their vehicle’s trunk and then proceeded to wrap The Rabbit up to take it home in
an attempt to find experienced help. After calling the Tucson Wildlife Center and getting
educated on how to care for The Rabbit, The Passerby prepared a medium cardboard box with
blankets and a bowl of water inside, and a heating pad on the outside of the box to provide
warmth for the Rabbit to hopefully be comfortable and rest until the Facility opened the next
morning at 8:00 am.
On February 16, 2023, at 7:23 A.M. an anonymous Passerby stepped into their bathroom to
retrieve the box that was housing The Severely Injured Rabbit, opening the blanket that was
covering the top, it is observed that The Severely Injured Rabbit was alive and breathing.
Driving to the facility it is noted that while driving east on Speedway 800 feet away from
the facility, The Passerby had witnessed a common Desert Rabbit darting across the road,
unharmed and free. At 8:02 A.M. The Passerby and The Severely Injured Rabbit, entered the
facility and at this juncture, The Passerby handed The severely Injured Rabbit over to the
Veterinarian on site. After completing the proper paperwork and receiving the blankets and
box that housed The Severely Injured Rabbit, The Veterinarian stepped outside the examining/
operating room.
On February 16, 2023, at 8:23 A.M, the Veterinarian informed the Passerby that The Severely
Injured Rabbit’s right eye had ruptured from the eye socket, the whole frontal part of the nose
was completely torn off, the chance of Rehabilitation, and Rewilding is too low. The Vet upon
inspecting The Severely Injured Rabbit had determined the best course of medical action
would be to perform an anesthetic injection.
The Severely Injured Rabbit passed away as peacefully and as comfortably as possible.
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