RI native rabbit on verge of extinction

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island's native bunny is near extinction. During a recent survey, researchers only found one New England Cottontail in the whole state.

The Eastern Cottontail is native to the Midwest, and was introduced in Rhode Island in the early 1900s. New England Cottontails are native to Rhode Island.

"It has been declining in recent years, said Brian Tefft, Principal Wildlife Biologist for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Tefft says the reason for the decline is a complicated equation.

"But, we certainly know that the habitat loss and the rise of predation that puts a lot of pressure on the New England Cottontail."

Their habitat is in the thicket or thick brush. And that has been disappearing.

"In recent years, within the last 10 years, numbers have dropped significantly," said Tefft.

In fact, not one of these rabbits were found since 2005. Until this year by the University of Rhode Island. They found only one.

"Well, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently categorized the New England Cottontail as a candidate for the federal endangered species list."

Tefft says this is significant because the numbers are so low, that extinction is imminent. Work is being done to get suitable habitats in place.

"It's important from the ecological standpoint to make sure we preserve as much of the natural flora and fauna in the state of Rhode Island. Once it's extinct, that's forever. And it doesn't come back."

In addition to restoring habitats, work is being done with breeding in captivity to get the population of the New England Cottontail back up.