The Bunny Museum in Altadena, California, which was destroyed during the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Wildfires, has received a major donation in the form of a 14-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture titled "Scanner." Created by Chinese artist Jesse Zhao and donated by local resident Wesley Zucco, the 1,100-pound work was unveiled on February 20 as part of the museum's rebuilding efforts. The institution, which previously held over 45,000 rabbit-related items ranging from Egyptian antiquities to pop culture memorabilia, lost its entire physical collection in the blaze, though its live animals were rescued.
This donation marks a significant milestone in the recovery of a cult-favorite Southern California institution that bridged the gap between kitsch and cultural anthropology. By securing large-scale contemporary art alongside 60,000 other donated items, founders Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski are signaling a formal path toward reopening in 2028. The gift highlights the role of community-driven philanthropy and international artistic contributions in reviving niche museums after climate-related disasters.