Pygmy Rabbits At Risk! While sage grouse are the sagebrush sea’s icon, another sage dweller, the rare pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is coming into the news. On June 10th, we met with IDFG biologist Beth Waterbury, near the Mt. Borah Earthquake scarp. We learned that the tiny bunnies (a pound or so) live in portions of eight western states, and are threatened by loss of sagebrush habitat. The species has been proposed for ESA listing by USFWS. We spread out across foothill terrain, and peered into rabbit burrows made on “mimi mounds” (clumps of soil with thick sage). We did not see any rabbits, but the Lost River peaks and eastern White Cloud Mountains were magnificent, as well as the wildflowers. Now, we have a much better understanding of this rare species. .
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About the Photo Slideshow ______________________ Download times vary from 2-3 seconds for high-speed connections, and 2-3 minutes for dial-up. Enjoy the whole show (which will load and play automatically) OR use the quick links at left to view and print individual slides (just use the BACK button on your web browser to return to this page when you are done with each slide). All photos are by Lynne K. Stone, BWCC, Copyright 2009, unless otherwise noted. > Slide 1: Bunny Hole > Slide 2: Scat & Tracks > Slide 3: Lupine & Pashimerois > Slide 4: Gorgeous > Slide 5: Pygmy Rabbit near its burrow

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Birds of the Sawtooth Mountains & Salmon River

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