Traffic shut down to rescue rabbit from the side of I-80

Animal-control officers stopped westbound traffic on Interstate 80 in San Francisco on Friday in order to rescue a rabbit from the side of the freeway, officials said. 

San Francisco Animal Care and Control was notified by a civilian of a rabbit on the side of westbound I-80 on Friday, the department shared in a Facebook post. Three animal-control officers then arrived at the scene and stopped all westbound traffic coming from the Bay Bridge in order to corral the animal. 

The bunny was successfully rescued and taken to San Francisco Animal Care and Control’s shelter at 1419 Bryant St. 

“She is healthy, uninjured and doing well in our care,” Animal Care and Control’s said in the Facebook post. 

The rabbit was named Elektra – “after another female daredevil of note” – and will be kept at the shelter for several days in hopes that her owner will claim her. If no one comes forward, she will go up for adoption early next week, Animal Care and Control said. 

“Oh my goodness, I saw this rabbit! I was scared to stop and go back, and just did not know what to do. I wasn’t sure how to describe the location, so I didn’t call in. I am so glad that somebody did,” one Facebook user commented on Animal Care and Control’s post. 

San Francisco is experiencing a bit of a boom in its rabbit population: In July, Animal Care and Control waived all rabbit adoption fees to try and help alleviate the issue, partly brought on by people dumping rabbits in parks or breeding them irresponsibly.