New England's only native rabbit, the New England cottontail has been declining due to habitat loss and competition with an introduced species, the eastern cottontail.  New England cottontails have experienced a range reduction of over 80%.  In order to better understand and conserve this reclusive rabbit, WGEL research includes DNA analysis of New England and eastern cottontails as well as habitat analysis.  WGEL also processes fecal pellet samples collected in a region-wide monitoring effort.