Over $40 Million in Damage
When one thinks of disaster striking resorts, they may immediately think of hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. However, one ‘natural disaster’ that has been wreaking havoc on the Southeast region of the United States recently is a little more… fluffy.
Rabbits.
While absolutely adorable, rabbits have been infesting hotels along the East Coast and damaging the tourism industry there. Millennial Reports reporter, Sam, spoke with Stephanie, the General Manager of Marsh Cove Resort in York, South Carolina to learn more about the situation.
“There’s been thousands of rabbits all over the resort,” Stephanie said. “…they’ve definitely taken [their] toll on our landscaping.”
Rabbits are notoriously known for destroying gardens, landscaping, trees, and other important and eating expensive vegetation. So far, the animals have caused an estimated $40 million dollars worth of damage.
They’re not the only animals that are known for their destructive habits. Across the country in San Jose, CA, wild pigs are on the run. The boars have been terrorizing the Evergreen neighborhood of San Jose, and it has gotten so bad that rock barriers, traps, and grub killers no longer work to deter them. Homeowners are concerned for their landscaping as the pigs are digging up flower beds and destroying lawn ornaments.
It has become such a problem that the city of San Jose is now allowing citizens to hunt the wild boars with bows and arrows.
Similar problems lie several cities away in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. On the shores of the beautiful Lake Tahoe, Eurasian watermilfoil, Asian clams, and Zebra mussels all have harmed the balance in Lake Tahoe. These invasive species threaten Tahoe’s signature clarity and degrade the shoreline which affects the tourism that the local economy thrives on. The average cost to deal with an invasive species is a staggering $22 million a year.
Zebra mussels are a fairly common problem among other hotspots across the continent. Each year, power plants pay millions of dollars just to remove these pesky mussels from clogged water intakes. Their existence has not only harmed the environment but has also damaged recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and boating, as well as ruining the picturesque lake views that draw visitors.
Tourism drives a significant portion of the world’s economy, and it is evident that when invasive species harm resorts or popular landmarks, the effects can be devastating and costly.
When asked how Marsh Cove Resort will deal with their rabbit infestation and the impact on its operations, Stephanie said, “We do [have insurance], however, you know, they’re actually scratching their heads kind of looking to see if rabbits are covered in our policy.”
“It’s not really something we’ve encountered before,” she concluded.