Pygmy Rabbit Identification Course

["Adam Kozlowski" <ADAMKOZLOWSKI at utah dot gov>]

Hello all,

As many of you already know, the pygmy rabbit has been recently
petitioned for rangewide inclusion on the federal threatened and
endangered species list.  Although very little is known about pygmy
rabbit distribution, the petition appears to be in reaction to the
rangewide reduction of sagebrush communities suitable for the rabbit's
occupation.

Within Utah, reaction to the loss of shrub-steppe habitat has
concentrated much of our research energies within areas potentially
suitable for pygmy rabbit occupation.  Ongoing efforts to document and
record shrub-steppe health include, but are not limited to, the
dedicated individuals conducting: range trend studies, sage and
sharp-tailed grouse counts, breeding bird surveys, prairie dog surveys,
archaeological clearance, and various habitat restoration projects. 
During the course of these activities the recognition and reporting of
potential pygmy rabbit sign or sightings would be invaluable to the
mapping and enumeration efforts currently underway.

The Division's goal is to train all individuals spending time in
shrub-steppe habitats to be aware of the sign (pellets and burrows)
diagnostic of rabbit presence.  This short course will review habitat
preference, sign identification, and data requests.  A brief overview
will also be given of historical distribution, current research efforts,
and population monitoring techniques.  

Salt Lake City Course:
When:   1000-1130 AM, May 29th, 2003
Where:  Room 1040, First Floor, Department of Natural Resources Bldg,
1594 West 
              North Temple, SLC 

Northern Region Course*:
When:   1000-1130 AM, May 27th, 2003
Where:  Hunter Education/Range Bldg, DWR Northern Region Office, 515 E
5300 S, 
              Ogden
   *Offered in conjunction with West Nile Swab Training at 900 AM

Please distribute to all individuals you feel would benefit from the
training; the more the merrier!  If you have any questions please write
and let me know.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Hope to see you there,
Adam


Adam Kozlowski
Sensitive Species Biologist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Northern Region
515 East 5300 South, Ogden UT  84405
Office:  (801) 476-2740
Cell:  (801) 510-2034
email: adamkozlowski@utah.gov

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