Saving the Endangered
Pygmy Rabbit
The Pygmy Rabbit belongs to a family called Leporidae which contains over 60 species of various rabbits and hares. Some characteristics of this family include:
Species range from approximately 300 grams – 5 kg in weight
Long hind legs & shorter fore legs
Four toes equipped with strong claws and hairy foot-soles to improve grip
Excellent hearing
Exceptional night vision for a nocturnal/twilight lifestyle
Habits & Habitat
In size it ranks the smallest species of Leporidae, but Pygmy rabbits are one of only two native rabbit species in North America that dig their own burrow. Because of their tendency towards this, pygmy rabbits seek out deep loose soil. Their historical distribution is primarily found in areas of big sagebrush, not only because it yields optimal soil conditions, but also because the big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate) was found to be their primary food source. 
Historical Distribution
Pygmy Rabbits can however, inhabit a variety of semiarid shrub areas that have been found scattered throughout their historical distribution in the Great Basin, and parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. 
The pygmy rabbit has lived in this area for over 100,000 years, but due to their dependence on large areas of soft soil and tall grass as well as their “home range” of only 30 meters – 7 acres depending on season, their distribution across a range has always been soil dependent and spotty. 
Threats
Before the arrival of settlers in America the habitat of Pygmy Rabbits would shift, affecting population and location, in response to natural weather patterns, wildfires, or other natural causes. When one habitat was destroyed it would either grow back, or the population would seek out another area that met their needs. However, with the arrival of settlers the landscape of their former home began to change and large areas of semiarid shrub were transformed into cities, roads, or even domestic grass that “looks prettier” but cannot support the Pygmy.
Identified Threats: Recovery Plan (2012)
It is no surprise then that the current primary listed threat to Pygmy Rabbits is defined as “The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012). This is seen as a result of growing agriculture development, infrastructure development, and increased fire frequency which poses a direct threat to big sagebrush. 
Various additional threats have been identified and included in the recovery plan but are relatively mild in comparison to the first threat, which is primarily where resources and actions aim to focus. These additional threats are listed above as factors B-D (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012).
Recovery Plan Development
The original “Draft Recovery Plan” for the Pygmy Rabbit was completed in August of 2007 and composed by a team of various conservation specialists and students. It was not until 2011 however that the amendment to the plan was developed resulting in the official recovery plan that is available now. The recovery strategy is first broken into 3 general phases (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012 “Recovery Plan for the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis)”):
1.) Removal or abatement of imminent threats to the population and the potentially suitable shrub steppe habitats in the Columbia Basin 
2.) Reestablishment of an appropriate number and distribution of free-ranging subpopulations over the near term
3.) Establishment and protection of a sufficiently resilient, free-ranging population that would be expected to withstand foreseeable long-term threats.
Recovery Plan Efforts
With the physical goal of the recovery plan aiming to move the pygmy rabbits from the Federal “Endangered List” to the federal “threatened list” these strategies are broken down further into specific actions. This plan identifies 9 steps of action to aid the recovery of Pygmy rabbits in the Columbia Basin, and are identified as follows (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012 “Recovery Plan for the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis)”):
Action 1: Manage partially controlled field-breeding for the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit.
Action 2: Reestablish free-ranging Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit subpopulations within their historical distribution.
Action 3: Survey for, monitor, and assess free-ranging Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits.
Action 4: Protect free-ranging Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits. 
Action 5: Manage habitats at recovery emphasis areas and intervening properties (as viii feasible) to support stable, self-sustaining subpopulations of free-ranging Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits.
Action 6: Pursue conservation agreements for the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit with landowners and managers of intervening properties within the population’s historical distribution.
Action 7: Exchange information with stakeholders and the general public to address concerns and increase support for Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit recovery efforts.
Action 8: Secure funding for Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit recovery efforts.
Action 9: Revise this Federal Recovery Plan to facilitate implementation of adaptive management measures considered necessary to achieve the phased recovery strategy population fluctuations.
How you can make a difference
In geographic areas within and surrounding the historical range of Pygmy Rabbit habitat meetings between federal agencies, conservation agencies, land owners, and concerned citizens are held as needed to discuss efforts and progress. These meetings are open to anyone, and can provide anyone a voice to directly impact the Recovery Plan. As a majority of the world does not reside in this area however, there are many other actions concerned individuals can take to positively affect their recovery. Raising awareness through social media is a great approach as it often can trigger a chain reaction. Another action individual can take would be a donation to a conservation agency that supports this recovery plan in one of the locations mentioned above, such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Donations can aid in purchasing protected plots of land for the Pygmy Rabbits to recover, or funding additional efforts described in the Recovery Plan.
As was summarized in the recovery plan “Recovery of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit will require both effective adaptive management through comprehensive monitoring and sustained conservation measures to ensure the population’s long-term viability.” ( U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012). By spreading awareness and installing dynamic recovery efforts, we have the power to save the Pygmy Rabbit from endangerment, and ultimately extinction. Let’s do this!
Sources & Resources
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012. Recovery Plan for the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Portland, Oregon. ix + 109 pp.
It is interesting that the Pygmy rabbit has been native to North America for over 100,000 years. -James Yates
ReplyDeleteThis tiny rabbit is so cute, I really hope enough effort is made to preserve its populations. My species also was threatened primarily by habitat destruction, which appears to be the main cause for any animal’s endangerment. The recovery plan for the pygmy rabbit seems reasonable, as captive breeding and release efforts should make a difference in helping to re-establish a large population for this species. The other parts of the recovery plan, such as protecting the established populations and securing funding for pygmy rabbit conservation efforts, also are realistic and reasonable goals. I believe this recovery plan will work, partly because the rabbit is so cute — I don’t think anyone would want it to go extinct.
ReplyDelete-Kellie Williams
I honestly had no idea that rabbits dug burrows so that was super interesting to learn. The recovery plan for the species definitely seems achievable because it's working in small steps instead of trying to jump to the end goal. -Hope Young
ReplyDeleteLike Hope said, I didn't know that rabbits dug borrows. I truly hope more efforts are made in order to keep this species around. -Morgan White
ReplyDeleteI did not know these rabbits were so small and that they dug their own burrows! Also this rabbit is really cute and I hope the recovery plan is properly enacted.
ReplyDelete-Max Tannenwald
I enjoyed reading your blog about the Pygmy Rabbit.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was fun to read about and I like how you implemented the pictures in your topic. The recovery plan was in depth and well written. Well done. -Nick Vollucci
Such unique tiny rabbits- they dig burrows and live in a very specific habitat. I love the amount of pictures you had. Thank you for sharing these cute little creatures. - Emily White
ReplyDeleteI usually think of rabbits as gerneralist able to survive and take over anywhere. I thought it was interesting to learn about a species of rabbit that is so dependent on a specifc habitat and soil type! Great use of graphics! -Rick Taggesell
ReplyDeleteCrazy how their home range is only 30 meters(approx 7 acres). This animal as well as many in other blogs are keen examples of habitat destruction from humans and how much of an impact we have on the ecosystems we inhabit.-Jason Wahlund
ReplyDeleteI did pygmy rabbits too! I didn't see some of those pictures! They are very cute and definitely worth preserving. - AuStIn WhAleY
ReplyDelete