Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (rhdv) emerged in the 1970S-1980S in europe and has since caused the deaths of over 250 million domestic and wild rabbits globally

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $1,079,115 Formula Grant under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education program (CFDA 15.611) to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The grant will fund a 5-year project to (1) establish baseline demographic data on the Davis Mountain cottontail rabbit population in western Texas, (2) assess the spatial distribution and habitat use of this species, (3) evaluate the impact of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV2) outbreaks on the Davis Mountain cottontail population, and (4) explore the potential of vaccines as a management tool. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is partnering with Texas A&M University-Kingsville on a $71,115 sub-award to conduct research activities, including population assessments and risk management strategies for the Davis Mountain cottontail in response to the RHDV2 threat.

In 2010, a second strain emerged in france, RHDV2, and has since been detected in north america (first detection 2016). RHDV2 is now considered endemic in the western U.S., with outbreaks documented in wild rabbits in 14 states, including texas. In western texas, RHDV2 threatens four lagomorph species, including the davis mountain cottontail (dmcr) however, IT remains unclear how RHDV2 outbreaks may impact this species. There is need for (1) baseline demographic data on dmcr, (2) an understanding of spatial distribution of dmcr (elevational, habitat use, etc.) and distinction from the other, morphologically-similar cottontail species (3) assessment of the stability of dmcr in the event of a RHDV2 outbreak and (4) assessment of vaccines as a potential management tool