WDFW researchers use drone to collect pygmy rabbit data

COLUMBIA BASIN — From January until March, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff and researchers will fly drones over known pygmy rabbit locations on state- and federally-managed lands in Grant and Douglas counties, according to an agency press release. "The purpose of these flights is to test drone and sensor capabilities and effectiveness for tracking pygmy rabbit distribution and numbers in snowy conditions," Taylor Cotten, WDFW conservation assessment section manager, said in the release. "Researchers will also use the drones to help determine the survival rate of reintroduced pygmy rabbits." The release states WDFW will use the drones to take photos that will be used to gather certain data in a safer and more efficient way than current methods.