Washington landowners to help pygmy rabbits
EPHRATA, Wash. - Now all they need is the rabbits. On a sprawling central Washington wheat farm, state and federal officials signed a landmark agreement Tuesday to create a "safe harbor" for reintroduction of the tiny Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, which was listed as an endangered species in 2001 and whose impending return has raised concerns among area farmers that the bunnies could bust their business.
Pygmy rabbits are the smallest rabbits in North America, weighing about 1 pound, and one of only two rabbit species that dig burrows in deep soil. They are found in shrub-steppe habitat with plenty of sagebrush.
The Columbia Basin rabbit, however, has been an isolated population for thousands of years and differs genetically from other pygmy rabbits. None are believed to exist in the wild, and only three purebred rabbits remain in captivity - one male and two females who haven't always been in the mood to mate.
Their fate has rested in a captive breeding program begun in 2001 with the related Idaho pygmy rabbit. There are now 115 interbred rabbits, and wildlife biologists plan to introduce between 20-40 rabbits with genetic markers that are no less than 75 percent Columbia Basin rabbit to a nearby wildlife area in early February.
The agreement signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife is as much for landowners as it is for the rabbits. It allows landowners, after a survey of their land for any wild rabbits, to pay $50 for a permit to be absolved of any harm for violating the Endangered Species Act if they incidentally kill or hurt a rabbit while operating their farm.
At the same time, farmers agree to notify state and federal officials if the pygmy rabbits have wandered onto their property from nearby sagebrush stands or if they are beginning any field work that could potentially endanger them.
The permits would be valid for 20 years, after which they could be renewed if pygmy rabbit populations haven't recovered.
"I view it as an insurance policy," said Dave Billingsley, a cattle rancher in the nearby community of Palisades, whose own property, as well as property he leases for grazing, abuts the reintroduction zone.
"Aside from the $50 fee, which is part of the insurance policy," he said, chuckling, "I consider it the best thing we've got in a bad situation."
Three landowners have signed on to the program so far, but wildlife officials did their best Tuesday to convince a few more.
"I know how much of a risk it is for private landowners to get involved with the feds on something like this," said Ren Lohoefener, Pacific Region director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "I hope you'll trust us and work with us to make sure this is something that works for you going forward."
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Washington landowners to help pygmy rabbits
