2009 – A Great Year for the New England Cottontail.
The New England Cottontail used to be a common sight throughout the North Eastern United States. They used to thrive amongst dense hedgerows. They are the only rabbit known to native to Maine. But deforestation and urban sprawl has caused a drop in population believed to be as high as 75%.
The New England Cottontail, like most wild animals, is fantastic prey for larger species, such as owls, foxes and hawks. They also face danger from another rabbit species, the Eastern cottontail, a larger, quicker breed introduced from Europe to America in the 1920’s by private hunting clubs to increase the available game population. These rabbits bully their smaller cousins out of their homes, taking over the few suitable habitats that remain.
A Plot to save the Cottontails?
In attempt to prevent the New England Cottontail following species like the Columbia Basin Pygmy rabbit into total extinction, the York Landtrust in Maine has confirmed 2009 the “Year of the Cottontail”. A plot of land known as Highland Farms, really an abandoned and over grown golf course, has proved to be one of the last places in Maine everywhere the New England Cottontail continues to breed and thrive. It has also become the new home of several other threatened species, including the American Woodcock and the black racer snake. The trust is tiresome to preserve these unique conditions and duplicate them in other areas. They also plot to start constructing artificial burrows and adding more of the scrubby brush and hedgerows that the New England Cottontails need to thrive.