Pygmy Rabbit Recovery in the Columbia Plateau Province Project

Pygmy Rabbit Recovery in the Columbia Plateau Province Project ID 25042 Submitted by: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Pygmy Rabbit State endangered species Federal species of concern Highly vulnerable to extirpation Requires recovery program

Distribution

Washington Distribution

Pygmy Rabbit Status EstimateofofPygmy Active Rabbit Burrows at Number Sites Sagebrush Flat 7 6250 5200 4 150 3 100 2 1 50 0 0 1995 1996 1995 1997 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 Emergency measures needed to prevent extinction

Factors Affecting Decline Loss of deep soil shrub-steppe through conversion Habitat fragmentation

Habitat Trends Increased habitat protection Increased CRP enrollment Connect large habitat patches

Columbia Plateau Goals “ restoring the natural ecological functions, habitats, and biological diversity of the Columbia River Basin”

Emergency Management Plan Find and protect remaining rabbits Publish and review of genetic analyses Remove rabbits to initiate captive population Pursue habitat acquisitions and enhancement Evaluate role of disease in decline Continue husbandry study with the Oregon Zoo Find funding to proceed with all actions

Captive Breeding Husbandry Study Release Study

Captive Breeding Cooperators Washington State University Oregon Zoo USF&WS Northwest Trek WDFW

Reintroduction Experimental “soft” releases Predator avoidance training Research/monitoring Adaptive management

The Pygmy Rabbit Proposal: BPA 25042 Meets subbasin objectives Consistent with state recovery plan High WDFW commitment