The New England Cottontail, a rabbit species listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), faces a dire situation. The species is currently experiencing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Its population has decreased more than 95 percent, and its range has contracted over greater than 80 percent since the 1960s. Thanks to a breeding program that’s collaborative and centrally located at the Queens Zoo, with many keystone partners, a Cape renaissance is on the horizon.
Since 2016 the Queens Zoo has played a major role in the recovery of the New England Cottontail. To date, they have personally released 145 rabbits in seven different municipalities and counties throughout the region. This new initiative highlights a remarkable partnership among a wide range of organizations. Among them are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island, and New York and New England state wildlife agencies.
The Breeding Program’s Structure
It’s true partnership that the New England Cottontail Breeding Program exemplifies. It requires collaboration among zoos, wildlife agencies, universities and private landowners to achieve a shared objective. Addressing all these factors holistically helps to save the species by developing successful breeding and release techniques in captivity.
Nicole Schepis, a wild animal keeper at the Queens Zoo, emphasized the importance of this program:
“Our effort to breed these rabbits to help ensure they don’t go extinct shows the great value of zoos to the conservation of wildlife, especially for species facing extinction.”
The program’s hands-on design convenes myriad talents and tools. This foundational collaboration significantly increases the odds of achieving successful outcomes. By engaging both governmental agencies and private stakeholders, this program is able to ensure the New England Cottontail is being managed and cared for with the utmost consideration.
Release Efforts Across New England
The Queens Zoo has successfully raised and released New England Cottontail kits. They’ve made these cute little bunnies law in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. These releases are important for reintroducing populations in places where the rabbits have disappeared.
In the most recent release, six New England Cottontails were released at Fort Foster Park in Kittery, Maine. Four others were recently released at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Seven were welcomed at Race Point Beach. Five more were introduced on Thacher Island, just offshore from Rockport. Each release is a culmination of a passionate commitment to return this imperiled species back to the landscapes they once thrived in.
“This release marks another important step in the ongoing recovery of the New England cottontail,” said Donna-Mae Butcher, assistant curator of animals at the Queens Zoo. These type of statements demonstrate the dedication of the folks running the program to track and nurture these new populations they’ve created.
The Importance of Conservation Efforts
This collaborative, multi-state work to protect the New England Cottontail highlights larger conservation issues that many of our species are grappling with today. Yet habitat threats continue to mount, both from lasting impacts from urbanization and rampant climate change. Federal programs like this one are a critical lifeline for wildlife and ecosystems.
The partnership between NGF, UGA, and others is an example of how working together can result in lasting strides for conservation. Universities and private landowners are key components in giving these ideas life. Together, this cooperation creates a greater pool of research potential and fosters improved habitat management practices.