Coyotes, owls threaten plan to reintroduce rare rabbits

The 20 endangered pygmy rabbits that were reintroduced to the wild with great fanfare last month aren’t faring so well.

Fourteen of the 20 rabbits have been killed by predators.

Only four of the rabbits released March 13 remained at the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area, said David Hays, pygmy rabbit coordinator for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Hays said two males were removed earlier this month and will be returned at the end of April. The other 14 rabbits are believed to have fallen victim to predators, mainly coyotes, but also hawks and owls.

The 3,700-acre release site has been watched daily by Department of Fish and Wildlife staff. Several of the rabbits were fitted with GPS monitors.

Of the four rabbits remaining at the site, three are females who could be pregnant, officials said.

Hays said the rapid decline in population did not doom the multimillion-dollar project.

More rabbits will be released in the area, he said, and experts are looking for ways to reduce predation.