Environmentalists Demand Federal Action to Safeguard the Pygmy Rabbit in Western States

In an urgent call to action, environmental advocates are pressuring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the pygmy rabbit, a critically endangered species, under the Endangered Species Act following decades of inaction.

Short Summary:

• Environmental groups are preparing to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to list the pygmy rabbit as an endangered species.
• The pygmy rabbit’s habitat is increasingly threatened by livestock grazing, oil and gas extraction, and new diseases.
• An ongoing delay in the federal response highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to combat biodiversity loss.

The pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), labeled as the smallest rabbit species in North America, faces an imminent threat of extinction as environmental organizations have formally announced their intention to pursue legal action against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for its failure to provide needed protections under the Endangered Species Act. Despite the agency recognizing the need for possible protections for this vulnerable species in early January 2024, they have delayed decisive action beyond the legally mandated timeframe. Greta Anderson, deputy director of the Western Watersheds Project, voiced the frustration felt by many:

“Protection delayed is protection denied.”

The pygmy rabbit’s current habitat stretches across parts of Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, California, and Oregon, where it relies heavily on sagebrush ecosystems for its diet and shelter from predators. However, threats from livestock grazing, invasive plant species, gas and oil extraction activities, and destructive wildfires are compromising these fragile environments, leading to an alarming decrease in the rabbit population.

According to a formal notice filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians, and the Western Watersheds Project, the delay in implementing protective measures could have catastrophic consequences for the pygmy rabbit. Michael Freeman, an attorney with Earthjustice, which represents the groups, stated:

“Under the law, the Service has 12 months to respond to petitions from the public with a determination about whether a species is eligible for Endangered Species Act protection.”

Yet, the USFWS has failed to meet this deadline, which has led them to escalate efforts for legal recourse to safeguard these vulnerable animals.

Adding to the threats facing pygmy rabbits, there is a new concern stemming from rabbit hemorrhagic disease, a virulent virus first reported in Nevada in 2022, which poses a significant mortality risk to these small mammals. Randi Spivak, public lands policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed her disappointment with the USFWS’s inaction, saying,

“We’re watching the slow-motion extinction of these adorable rabbits while the Fish and Wildlife Service drags its feet.”

The last formal proposal to protect the pygmy rabbit under the Endangered Species Act was filed over three decades ago in 1991, but the rabbit has yet to receive any federal protections despite further petitions filed in 2003 and 2010, which were ultimately denied by the agency. Joanna Zhang, an endangered species advocate with WildEarth Guardians, highlighted the pressing need for timely intervention:

“Protecting pygmy rabbits is vital for preserving the West’s shrinking sagebrush ecosystems, yet the Fish and Wildlife Service’s delayed action has put this unique species at greater risk.”

As the pygmy rabbit faces increased pressures from both environmental changes and public indifference, organizations rallying for its protection have made it abundantly clear that the time for action is now.

“We’re not willing to let this species go extinct on our watch, and we hope today’s notice will spark action on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,”

concluded Anderson, reiterating the growing urgency behind the conservation efforts. Attaining federal protection for the pygmy rabbit is not merely a matter of policy, but a significant step toward preserving the biodiversity of the region.

This saga emphasizes a broader environmental struggle where the interconnectedness of ecosystems, wildlife, and human impact calls for immediate and decisive action. Together, we must advocate for the protection of vulnerable species like the pygmy rabbit to ensure a balanced and thriving natural habitat. Interested readers can learn more about rabbits and their dietary needs at Rabbits Diet.