Are there any measures currently being taken to conserve the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit?
In the spring of 2001, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) initiated a captive breeding program for the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit in cooperation with Washington State University and the Oregon Zoo. Sixteen pygmy rabbits were captured from this population as an initial source for captive breeding efforts, and these animals adjusted well to the rearing facilities. Offspring were produced during the spring of 2001 and 2002, while a number of deaths of offspring and adult rabbits have been documented from various causes since the program began. All deaths of the captive pygmy rabbits were investigated and appropriate measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of any capture-related mortality. Currently, there are nineteen Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits in the captive breeding program, and early reproductive behavior has again been observed in 2003. The ultimate goals of this program are to maintain a sufficient number of Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits in captivity to
