Washington’s pygmy rabbits are in struggle for existence

Nature’s Journal

By Sharon Wootton | For The Olympian • Published May 03, 2008

The rabbits fought often and seldom mated. An intestinal parasite from the soil killed many of the remaining rabbits. Left with little choice, researchers brought in Idaho pygmy rabbits as a genetic-rescue solution. The move seems to be working. After a few generations, reproduction rates are increasing, although offspring have only 75 percent of the original Washington genes.

A set of 20, descendants of the last wild pygmy rabbits, was released into the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area; most of them were killed fairly quickly. Optimism rekindled last year when researchers reported seeing one young pygmy rabbit and one female bringing in nesting materials to a burrow.

“The jury’s still out. We’re trying inside breeding and more natural bunchgrass, so it will be great news if it works. So far it’s made a huge difference. Those rabbits had higher pregnancy and survival rates; half got out of the burrow,” Shipley said.

The recovery goal for the agencies is to create a minimum population of 1,400 adult pygmy rabbits in several areas that must be secure habitat with conservation plans in place.

“If society waits until there are 16 (of anything), it’s too late. Even 100 may be too late,” Shipley said. “Saving the habitat and wildlife has to be a priority for society. Species that are specialists are good indicators of the health of the habitat. We can’t continue to destroy ecosystems … It has to be part of our value system.”

Perhaps the pygmy rabbits can become Washington’s condors, but the jury’s still out.

Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.