A giant rabbit, which was destined to be the world’s biggest bunny, died mysteriously on a United Airlines flight to the U.S., the latest in a slew of public relations nightmares faced by the beleaguered American airline recently.
Three-foot Simon died in the cargo section of a Boeing 767 after flying out of Heathrow to a new celebrity owner in the U.S., The Sun reported. Simon was expected to outgrow his father Darius, whose length of 4ft 4 inches made him the world’s biggest bunny.
“He was as fit as a fiddle. I’ve sent rabbits around the world before and nothing like this happened,” Simon’s breeder Annette Edwards was quoted as saying.
Ms. Edwards said the rabbit was healthy when placed in the cargo hold. But Simon was found dead after the Boeing 767-300 landed at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
‘Very strange’
“Something very strange has happened. I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before,” Ms. Edwards said. “The client who bought Simon is very famous. He’s upset,” she said.
Simon, a continental giant rabbit, was 10-months-old.
Continental giants cost £5,000 a year to keep. Ms. Edwards’ rabbits are hired out at £500 a time. United Airlines said, “We are reviewing this matter.” An airport source was quoted as saying the news of Simon’s demise sparked panic among United Airlines staff.
