Without seeing the deceased animals, it sounds like ordinary decay is taking place. The intestinal area is normally the first place to rupture due to the bacteria and hence, swelling of the rotting carcass. Sounds like something drug them out of their den after they died. If something killed them, such as a wolf or coyote, they would be ripped up and chances are, you wouldn't find them laying next to their den. Very possible that they were poisoned, whether intentional or not, that would be the most likely answer. One other answer would be some disease such as distemper, or even less likely, rabies. Animals that live together in dens and burrows, will drag out the dead from their home and usually leave them within sight of their home. Pictures may help. Kt

Oh "carp"....something else to lust after!!

Moonie, I didn't think there were 2 animals, can you give us a hint for the second one you saw? Momof5, look for a "majestic" animal

Rabbits, most likely. That's the kind of damage they do. Some stems they eat and some they just bite off and leave. A good cage like Jim 1961 made for his Julia Child will work. Make yours just like his. Looks like Jim's is 16" high. It needs to be at least that high, don't go any lower. 24" high is even better. A big rabbit will be able to reach over a short cage as he stands on his hind legs and reaches over the top of it. They can stretch like a slinky! The fence wire Jim used with the 2X4" openings is good, chicken wire is too shaky. Rabbits will stand up leaning on chicken wire and feast on the rose bush they can now reach as it buckles in under their weight. Unfortunately baby rabbits can get through a 2X4" opening so a ring of 1' high chilcken wire fastened to the fence wire cage at ground level like a collar, is needed. Rabbits can destroy a rose garden. I'm truly sorry for your problem, but there is a solution, and a passive one that works 24-7. Looks a little odd, but it works.