A rabbit rescue operation is launched to save bunnies from rising floodwaters

Photo: Officials have been rescuing hundreds of endangered riparian brush rabbits, listed as an endangered species, from being stranded and trapped as a result of flooding in the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

With record-breaking storms wreaking havoc throughout the state, even rabbits need rescuing.

For months, a team from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has navigated the Central Valley looking to rescue from rising floodwaters stranded riparian brush rabbits, a small, brown and white creature listed as an endangered species.

Using canoes and motorboats, the five team members have trekked out in rivers from sunrise to past sundown in the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge to rescue rabbits. Some are stranded on high ground, on bush branches or trees. They are then taken to higher ground as the river water level floods the region.

During operations in January and March, 286 rabbits have been rescued, said Fumika Takahashi, wildlife biologist at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. More operations are planned for next week.

“These rabbits are resilient, they bounce back, but each one you rescue becomes important,” she said.

The rescue effort comes couple of months after the state endured one of the wettest winters in years.

According to Fish and Wildlife Service, the riparian rabbit was believed to be found only in Caswell Memorial State Park and near Lathrop. But with dangerously low numbers, the species was reintroduced into the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, about 75 miles northeast of San Jose.

“Riparian brush rabbits are especially vulnerable to […]

Full article: www.latimes.com