It appears that at least a couple of pygmy rabbits have overcome all odds and have, following release, hooked up and reproduced.  Previously, for the past several years, none have existed in the wild; as was done with California condors, all remaining bunnies were caught up and bred in captivity for re-release.

One item of interest that really stands out is the fact that the Washington subspecies was crossbred with the subspecies from Idaho.  Because the offspring have at least half of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit's genes, they are considered the real thing.

This revelation begs the following question:  why are hatchery salmon, which contain well over 50% of wild genes, not considered as part of the overall salmon population?  Why does that magic ratio work for bunnies and birdies - but not for fish?