Posted on 02/24/2008 8:47:35 AM PST by george76
A jackrabbit found throughout much of the West has disappeared from the Yellowstone area, although the reason why remains a mystery, a new study concludes.
Whatever the cause, the study suggests the white-tailed jackrabbit's disappearance has wrought major changes to Yellowstone's food chain.
Coyotes and wolves, which could have depended on the rabbit as a significant food source, apparently turned their attention instead to larger prey including young elk, pronghorn antelope -- even domestic livestock.
However, because the rabbit's decline went relatively unnoticed until now, quantifying that shift is virtually impossible, said the study's lead author, Joel Berger with the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The white-tailed jackrabbit -- also known as the prairie hare -- was once a common sight in and around Yellowstone National Park...
Berger's study, appearing in the latest issue of the scientific journal Oryx, tells of one inhabitant of the region encountering "jillions" of the animals near Yellowstone as late as the 1930s.
Yet by the middle of the century, sightings within the 23,000 square mile Yellowstone region grew increasingly rare. That area includes portions of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Only three have been spotted by scientists since 1991 -- all in Grand Teton National Park...
(Excerpt) Read more at jacksonholestartrib.com ...
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Government-released wolves ate them all. Next question? ;)
Jackrabbits are smart. They know Yellowstone’s about to blow and headed west, away from the ash cloud.
Huh. So then, I guess the place is safe for Jimmy Carter?
Ah...poor bunnies.
Perhaps the Spotted Owl developed a taste for Bugs Bunny.
Grab your wallet.
I smell a new government study.
Are hares bunny’s? I thought only rabbits are bunnies? But they do call it a jackrabbit, but also a hare? Is there a difference?
Have they been there since the big fire a few years ago?
They shortened their ears and moved into my subdivision here in S.E. Michigan. They even come up to the doorwall on my deck and I would swear they are now pals with my indoor cat........
They all moved to Lubbock. Fringe areas of the city are infested with them.
I saw a smallish cat waiting in ambush for one in a vacant lot a while back. The rabbit bounded by and the little cat did a perfect imitation of a springing tiger as it pounced. The jack spun around, seemingly in mid-air, and kicked it about 6 feet. The rabbit continued on its way while the cat slunk away, presumably to rummage in trash cans.
Leni
I'd prefer to hear a scientist say all the jackasses are gone from Congress.
Interesting, wonder what ate them?
LOL
That is a good story :
” The rabbit continued on its way while the cat slunk away, presumably to rummage in trash cans. “
I didn’t think man was supposed to mess with Mother Nature. They don’t know why they disappeared but they want to reintroduce them, probably at a cost of millions.
Of course there’s always the possibility the Elmer did in those pesky wabbits.
Now you apply for a few million to study that and I'll help. We should be able to knock it out in a couple of hours for a few mill.
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