A dedicated breeding program at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo is providing a critical lifeline to the New England cottontail, the only rabbit species native to the region. This year, the zoo successfully raised and transferred 15 young rabbits, known as kits, for release into protected habitats in Maine, marking a significant step in a multi-year effort to restore the species and prevent its local extinction. The kits, born between May and July, were carefully transported and released in August to bolster wild populations that have been decimated by habitat loss and competition from more resilient, non-native rabbit species.
The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is considered Endangered in the state of Maine. Its survival is threatened primarily by the fragmentation of its forest habitat and the introduction of the larger, more adaptable eastern cottontail in the early 1900s. The conservation initiative, a broad partnership including federal and state wildlife agencies, zoos, and non-governmental organizations, aims to reverse the species’ decline by breeding genetically diverse rabbits in captivity and reintroducing them to meticulously managed landscapes. The Queens Zoo has been an essential contributor to this effort since 2016, successfully rearing and releasing 145 rabbits back into their native New England states.
A Species Facing Disappearance
The New England cottontail was once a common sight across the region, from southern Maine to New York. Unlike the familiar eastern cottontail, which thrives in open fields and suburban backyards, the native species is a specialist. It depends exclusively on dense thickets and young forests, often called early successional habitats, for protection from predators like foxes and owls. These habitats provide the dense cover necessary for nesting and foraging while remaining safe from avian and ground threats. However, as forests in New England have matured and human development has expanded, these critical thicket environments have become increasingly scarce.
The introduction of the eastern cottontail rabbit for hunting purposes over a century ago created another significant pressure. The eastern cottontail is larger, has longer ears, and often displays a white spot on its forehead, whereas the New England cottontail is smaller, has shorter ears, and typically has a black spot between its ears. While visually similar to the casual observer, the two species are distinct, and the most reliable method for telling them apart is through DNA analysis. The more adaptable eastern cottontail has outcompeted its native cousin for food and territory, pushing the New England cottontail into smaller, isolated pockets of suitable habitat. This isolation reduces genetic diversity and makes the remaining populations more susceptible to disease and predation.
A Specialized Captive-Breeding Environment
The success of the restoration effort hinges on the ability of zoos to breed rabbits that are healthy, genetically diverse, and prepared for life in the wild. The breeding program at the Queens Zoo operates in a dedicated, off-exhibit space designed to mimic a natural environment and minimize human contact. This approach is crucial to prevent the rabbits from becoming habituated to humans, which would compromise their ability to survive after release. The enclosures are specially constructed to encourage natural behaviors, including courtship and nesting.
To facilitate breeding, adult males and females are initially housed in separate enclosures. They are later introduced into specially designed pens where females have the autonomy to choose their mates. These habitats include features such as hay beds and quiet nest boxes that are essential for successful reproduction. Zoo staff manage the process with as little direct interaction as possible, ensuring the kits are raised by their mothers in a way that prepares them for the wild. This hands-off strategy is fundamental to producing animals that retain the instincts needed to forage, hide from predators, and integrate into wild populations.
From Zoo Enclosures to Native Forests
The transition from the zoo to the wild is a carefully orchestrated process. The 15 kits born this year were prepared for their new homes with preventative flea and tick medication to improve their chances of survival. They were also implanted with microchips, allowing researchers to identify and track them if they are captured in the future. This data is vital for assessing the long-term success of the reintroduction program and understanding how the zoo-born rabbits adapt to their new environments.
The release sites are chosen with great care. This year, six kits were released into Fort Foster Park in Kittery, Maine, while four others were introduced into the nearby Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. An additional five were transported to Thacher Island, located off the coast of Rockport, Maine. These locations are managed to support the specific habitat needs of the New England cottontail, offering the dense cover the species requires. The release itself is a collaborative effort, involving staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and other conservation partners who work together to ensure a smooth transition for the animals.
A Collaborative Conservation Network
The Queens Zoo’s work is one component of a much larger, six-state conservation strategy for the New England cottontail. The partnership involves the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the wildlife agencies of New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, along with the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island, universities, and private landowners. This coalition works not only to breed and release rabbits but also to restore and create the young forest habitats they need to survive. By clearing patches of mature forest to stimulate the growth of dense shrubs and saplings, conservationists can create a landscape that benefits cottontails and many other at-risk species that rely on the same type of environment.
The comprehensive nature of this program was a key reason the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that listing the New England cottontail under the federal Endangered Species Act was not necessary. The agency concluded that the ongoing, collaborative conservation work has shown sufficient progress and that concrete plans are in place to continue the species’ recovery. The breeding program at the Queens Zoo, which will continue its work next season, remains a cornerstone of this regional strategy, providing a steady supply of healthy rabbits to reclaim their native territory and restore ecological balance.
