The solution to Langley’s rabbit woes may come swooping down from the heavens.

Representatives from Langley City Hall, the South Whidbey School District and the Island County Fairgrounds met Wednesday with Steve Layman, a nationally renowned falconer from Clinton, to discuss the possibilities of using birds of prey to control Langley’s rabbit population.

While holding his saker falcon affectionately named “Joe” in a conference room at City Hall, Layman presented options to the three parties involved, ranging from reduction of the population to an educational approach, with the political and societal concerns in mind.

“He doesn’t have just one solution for things,” said Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy, who attended the Sept. 9 meeting along with Councilwoman Rene Neff. “He tailors a solution to the political climate, sensitivity of the community, and the natural predators of the environment. He’s taking a scientific approach.”

A public meeting on the rabbit discussion will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the Pole Building at the fairgrounds. Attendees will have the chance to join the conversation, as well as pick the brain of Layman, who will be a central figure in the meeting.

“This is a problem not easily solved and it will have to be done by consensus,” Layman said.

Layman has over 50 years of experience handling raptors and holds a degree in zoology.

The rabbits have been a major predicament for the fairgrounds, middle school athletic fields, and residents of Langley.

“It’s a legitimate problem and we need help in addressing it,” said Superintendent Jo Moccia. “We’re lucky to have a preliminary conversation to know what direction for us all to take before we do anything.”

If the object were to reduce the rabbits, Layman said hawks could do the job. And the meat wouldn’t go to waste. It could be frozen and fed to the birds over time.

The “Raptor Patrol,” as Layman called it, could work day and night. The hawks’ species would range from Harris’s Hawks, Goshawks, and Red Tail hawks, according to Layman.

Layman said ferrets are also a viable way of uprooting the rabbits’ presence and could work in conjunction with the raptor patrol, but it is unclear whether it is a permissible option due to laws set by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

There could be an educational element to a raptor patrol as well, Layman said. A living display, the public could learn about the issue and its surrounding factors, such as the damage unchecked rabbit populations can cause to landscapes or potential diseases that can spread.

Also in attendance were schools Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman, fairgrounds Property Manager Melene Thompson, schools Maintenance Director Brian Miller, School Board Director Linda Racicot and Joel Gerlach.

Gerlach, a South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District commissioner, is a friend of Layman’s and a fellow falconer. He was not there to represent the parks district.

McCarthy and Moccia were both glad to see that a combined effort by the city, fairgrounds and schools to solve the rabbit problem is being made. Layman was also pleased to see the parties tackling the issue together.

“The main thing is that the city, (fairgrounds and schools) are interested in the greater community and being very responsible and very thoughtful and they’re making a very concerted effort to keep everyone informed,” Layman said.

According to Thompson, people have sprained their ankles in holes dug by rabbits searching for roots in the ground, which are scattered all around the fairgrounds. The middle school fields have similarly been scarred with holes, which have also caused injuries, Miller said.

Langley residents have also voiced their concerns for the rabbits at public gatherings such as the school district’s most recent meeting, saying the animals have damaged or destroyed landscaping.