Wildlife officials in Washington state are set to deploy drones over a large expanse of preserved space as part of their annual effort to estimate the population of the nearly extinct Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is preparing to begin daily drone flights over state and federally managed lands covering two counties as part of a trial-cum-annual-census of the tiny rabbits. The distinct species is the smallest among North America rabbits, and typically never grows larger than 12-inches long or more than 16 ounces in weight. Due to incursions of animal, natural, and human threats over time, the estimated population has decreased to a mere 100 to 150 individuals.

Washington game authorities will use the drones to scan enclosed zones they’ve created to preserve sagebrush and terrain the rabbits live in and burrow into – the only species to create their own underground shelter. Due to the size, color, and…

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Source: dronedj.com