Man filmed saving rabbit from California inferno slammed by wildlife experts
A man who braved the flames of the California wildfires to rescue a wild rabbit from the inferno has been criticised by wildlife experts for intervening.
The man, identified by NBC as father-of-one Oscar Gonzalez, was filmed saving a rabbit from the Thomas Fire on a highway near La Conchita, south of Santa Barbara.
The video has been shared thousands of times on Twitter with many labelling the 19-year-old as a hero, but wildlife experts are now saying he should not have interfered.
California Fish and Wildlife spokesman Peter Tira told the San Francisco Gate residents should not go near wild animals during the fire.
"If you encounter a wild animal in your neighbourhood, leave it alone," Mr Tira said.
"Fire or no fire, just let the animals be."
Mr Tira explained animals “have to deal with” fires “constantly”.
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According to Live Science, burrow-dwelling animals, like desert cottontail rabbits commonly found in Southern California, will “sometimes ride out surface fires underground”.
Desert cottontail rabbits are also giving birth to litters during December, and if needed, will perform their own rescue operations to protect their young.
A US Forest Service report published in January 2000, also details how fires usually fail to kill many animals. Rabbits, and other animals living underground, manage to survive as long as their burrows remain well-ventilated.
Despite the criticism, Mr Gonzalez said he couldn’t leave the rabbit behind “to get hurt”. He said he saw two rabbits following the one he saved and believes he managed to rescue a family of rabbits.
“I knew it was dangerous but I couldn't leave them to burn,” he said.
According to ABC News, six blazes along the US west coast have burned more than 141,000 acres and forced more than 212,000 residents from their homes.
