There goes Peter Cottontail: Bunnies have mysteriously forsaken New York’s Central Park

In NY’s Central Park, where goes Peter Cottontail?

NEW YORK — If anyone knows why the bunnies have disappeared from Central Park, wildlife officials are all ears.

Abandoned pet rabbits perennially turn up after each Easter in what’s affectionately called New York’s backyard. But a wild cottontail hasn’t been spotted in the park for about four years.

Officials are stumped at the decline. They note that weather, traffic and predators can all affect rabbit populations but haven’t pinpointed what’s hurting Central Park’s bunnies.

Park keepers are doing what they can to encourage repopulation. The city has been working to remove invasive plants and planting others to make the park more livable for small animals.