Lawsuit Filed to Safeguard the World’s Smallest Rabbit in Eight Western States

In a significant move to protect the endangered pygmy rabbit, a lawsuit has been lodged against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, urging swift action on federal listing for this tiny species across eight Western states.

Short Summary:

• The Western Watersheds Project has filed a lawsuit to compel the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to decide on the endangered status of the pygmy rabbit.
• Habitat loss and climate change are critical threats endangering the survival of the world’s smallest rabbit.
• Environmental organizations call for immediate federal protection to ensure the future of the pygmy rabbit.

In an urgent bid to safeguard Brachylagus idahoensis, or the pygmy rabbit, a coalition of environmental organizations led by the Western Watersheds Project (WWP) has officially filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boise, Idaho. The action is focused on pressing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to finally determine whether this diminutive species, which weighs less than a pound and fits comfortably in a person’s palm, merits protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The lawsuit underscores a long-standing issue: previous court rulings have mandated the USFWS to make a timely decision regarding the endangered status of the pygmy rabbit. However, the agency has failed to comply, thus prompting legal action aimed at ensuring an expedited response.

“This case will be settled very quickly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service because they are violating a court order right now and have no defense,” stated Jon Marvel, executive director of WWP.

Historically, pygmy rabbits thrived across an expanse of around 100 million acres in the Western United States, predominantly inhabiting the sagebrush steppes of states like Utah, Oregon, and Nevada. Unfortunately, due to significant habitat degradation driven by agricultural expansion and urban development, they currently occupy a mere 10% of their original range.

Climate change has further exacerbated their plight, with factors such as increased fire frequency, soil degradation, and an influx of invasive weeds hampering their survival prospects. These ecological alterations threaten not only the pygmy rabbits but a wide array of species that share the sagebrush ecosystem, such as the sage grouse.

“The species is highly dependent on sagebrush for virtually all of its winter diet and for cover from predators,” noted the petition. “Future habitat degradation and loss is predicted, primarily due to an increase in fire frequency… driven and compounded by climate change.”

The coalition behind the lawsuit comprises several pivotal organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, and WildEarth Guardians. They have urged the USFWS not only to designate endangered species protection for the pygmy rabbit but also to specify critical habitats essential for its survival.

Erik Molvar, a representative from the WWP, remarked, “Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, pygmy rabbits are one of the most endearing and charismatic creatures of the Sagebrush Sea, but unfortunately they are also one of the most at risk of extinction.” His comment reflects a sentiment shared by conservationists deeply concerned about the effects of ongoing habitat damage.

Research has shown that these rabbits struggle with habitat fragmentation, which severely reduces their movement and ability to find mates, as noted by Miranda Crowell, a doctoral candidate at the University of Nevada, Reno. “Habitat fragmentation is one of the main issues,” she stated, emphasizing that pygmy rabbits are poor dispersers, making them highly vulnerable to isolated populations.

The ecological dynamics essential to pygmy rabbits’ survival have been steadily deteriorating. Once thriving in expansive sagebrush ecosystems, the combination of livestock grazing and ongoing energy development is contributing to their habitat’s fracturing and degradation. Furthermore, as Allison Jones, a Utah-based conservation biologist, explains, these rabbits generally remain close to their burrows and are often active within a 30-meter radius. This behavior makes suitable cover critical for their survival.

A glance at previous efforts to protect the pygmy rabbit reveals a similar pattern of legal challenges stemming from the USFWS’s non-compliance. In 2003, the Service failed to grant protection to the pygmy rabbit, citing the need for further studies. Following pressure from environmental groups, the court ruled in 2007 that the agency’s decision lacked justification and mandated a reevaluation.

Encouragingly, a status review initiated in 2008 indicated that protection for the rabbit might be warranted. Yet, nearly a decade later, no definitive decision has been made, which advocates argue violates both the guidelines of the Endangered Species Act and previous court orders.

Compounding their challenges, predators like weasels, hawks, and coyotes regularly threaten the rabbits, which rely heavily on adequate cover for protection. The lack of ground cover due to habitat loss decreases their chances of survival against these natural threats.

“Fragmentation and loss of large sagebrush habitat are rampant throughout the rabbits’ range,” stated Jon Marvel. “Livestock grazing alters sagebrush habitat, lowering nutritional values, spreading diseases and exotic weeds, and attracting predators.”

Despite the urgency for protection, historical contextualization of conservation efforts shows that the pygmy rabbit remains in dire straits. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conducted monitoring studies revealing habitat occupancy rates plummeting to as low as 7%—a stark indicator of the species’ precarious existence.

Given the consistent evidence of declining populations, environmental advocates are calling for the immediate reassessment of invasiveness and threats facing the pygmy rabbit, as well as proactive measures to prevent their potential extinction. With growing awareness of the ecological interdependencies within sagebrush habitats, there is hope that protections could eventually allow pygmy rabbits to once again thrive in their historical territories.

The urgency of these legal efforts cannot be understated, especially as the future of the pygmy rabbit hangs in the balance. Environmentalists and advocates stand united in their cause, echoing a call to action to mitigate further habitat loss and make significant strides towards ensuring robust protections for this charming and vulnerable species.

As we await the outcome of this pivotal lawsuit, it’s crucial to stay informed on how such decisions impact conservation efforts for all small-sized rabbits. The fight for the pygmy rabbit is more than just a legal battle; it represents a significant effort to preserve the delicate ecosystems that foster such unique creatures.

Contacts for further inquiries include Jon Marvel at the Western Watersheds Project and Todd Tucci of Advocates for the West, both engaged in this vital legal struggle to secure the pygmy rabbit’s future.