STEVE INSKEEP, host: Another animal struggling to make the jump from the endangered species list is the Colombia Basin pygmy rabbit. It's has become the country's smallest native rabbit, it's about the size of an adult human hand. Yesterday, in Washington State, the Department of Fish and Wildlife released 20 pygmy rabbits in a remote reserve. They were placed in artificial burrows until they get used to their own digs and learn how to burrow themselves. Scientists will keep a close eye on these rabbits, monitoring every movement with tiny radio transmitters about the size of a watch battery.
The pygmy rabbit has been listed as endangered for six years. Tuesday, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced a number of the creatures to a remote preserve. They hope to jumpstart the animal's population in central Washington state.