Rabbits at Bathers Beach and Arthur Head Reserve could be poisoned as early as Wednesday despite a protest by two young Fremantle girls.
Tanga, 12, and her friend Georgia have been garnering support for the rabbits, which have become tourist attractions, relocated elsewhere.
Tanga told Radio 6PR's Adam Shand the rabbits were much-loved and should be relocated.
"Everyone who comes to Bathers Beach takes photos with them," she said.
"I've patted one twice. I think they should be taken somewhere else and fed there."
A spokesman for the City of Fremantle said rabbits were a well-known cause of severe environmental damage if left unmanaged, and by law, the City had to control rabbits in its public open space reserves.
"Rabbits have been burrowing under buildings and landscape structures at Bathers Beach and Arthur Head Reserve which could cause structural damage," he said.
"They also eat the vegetation and strip the fragile dunes of their protective cover, damaging revegetation efforts."
Rabbits were also defecating on the lawn areas at the Esplanade and at the Bathers Beach Sunset Market, he said.
"That presents environmental health concerns for patrons and vendors wanting to use the lawn areas to sit and eat," the spokesperson said.
The City of Fremantle usually carries out an annual program over three weeks depending on the weather conditions. Target locations are natural areas and foreshore parklands where evidence of rabbits is found.
The method being used at Bathers Beach Reserve and around Arthur Head Reserve is a combination of oats infused with a low dose poison and trapping.
These methods were chosen as the most effective method given the characteristics of the site and its heavy use by visitors.
It also reduces risks associated with bird and pet consumption and soil contamination. All control work complies with the relevant standards and industry best-practice including the Animal Welfare Act 2002, the City of Fremantle said.
