Much of the university estate and endowment lands have been preserved as a nature setting, notably Finnerty Gardens and Mystic Vale, a forested area and park. The large campus is home to deer, owls, ravens, squirrels and many other wild animals native to the area. A large population of domestic rabbits was previously a feature of the campus. In May 2010, the university began trapping and euthanizing the rabbits as they had been known to put athletes at risk in the playing fields and cause extensive damage to university grounds.thumb|Rabbits dig holes by a tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) they girdled in front of the McPherson Library, 23 May 2010. Local veterinarians offered to perform neutering of the male rabbits. As of July 2011, the UVic campus is free of rabbits. 900 rabbits were saved and sent to shelters. The majority of rabbits moved to shelters died between 2011 and 2016, after which the remaining survivors (147 rabbits) were relocated to a private sanctuary in Alberta.
much of the university estate and endowment lands have been preserved as a nature setting notably finnerty gardens and mystic vale a forested area and park the large campus is home to deer owls ravens squirrels and many other wild animals native to the area a large population of domestic rabbits was previously a feature of the campus in may 2010 the university began trapping and euthanizing the rabbits as they had been known to put athletes at risk in the playing fields and cause extensive damage to university groundsthumb|rabbits dig holes by a tulip tree (liriodendron tulipifera) they girdled in front of the mcpherson library 23 may 2010 local veterinarians offered to perform neutering of the male rabbits as of july 2011 the uvic campus is free of rabbits 900 rabbits were saved and sent to shelters the majority of rabbits moved to shelters died between 2011 and 2016 after which the remaining survivors (147 rabbits) were relocated to a private sanctuary in alberta