Page 18
The INDEPENDENT, August 3, 2011
Pygmy rabbits, seen only in captivity since 2002, are in the wild
From page 14
Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit
has been separated from the
other populations for thou-
sands of years and is geneti-
cally distinct.
In 2002, the remaining 16
Columbia basin pygmy rabbits
were placed into breeding pro-
grams at Oregon Zoo, Wash-
ington State University and
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in
Washington, and bred in col-
laboration with the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice. In 2003 the rabbit was
listed as federally endangered.
In preparation for breeding the
Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits,
the Oregon Zoo bred Idaho
pygmy rabbits, the first in the
world to do so.
To strengthen the Columbia
Basin pygmy rabbit stock and
increase the chances of a suc-
cessful recovery, the rabbits
have been cross-bred with wild
pygmy rabbits from Idaho.
Cross-breeding of the rabbits
was approved by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
The first attempt to re-intro-
duce the Columbia Basin
pygmy rabbit into the wild fell
short. In the spring of 2007, 20
captive-bred pygmy rabbits
were released into Sagebrush
Flat, but by fall, none had sur-
vived, mostly due to predation.
“To ensure a better result,
we’re releasing nearly five
times the number of rabbits at
a time as we did last time,” said
David Shepherdson, deputy
conservation division manager
at Oregon Zoo. “Also we’ve
devised the transitional wire
mesh enclosures for their pro-
tection and to help them get
accustomed to their wild habi-
tat, which has many predators
and risks. Their habitat is being
restored as well, and we’re
hoping these factors help
ensure survival for these rab-
Jeanne Hunker; one grandson
and one great-grandson.
Survivors include two sons,
Marv Delplanche of Beaverton,
and Ron Delplanche of Cor-
nelius; one daughter, Betty
Vanderzanden of Banks; 19
grandchildren; and 28 great-
grandchildren.
Remembrances are sug-
gested to the Visitation School
Endowment Fund or the Visita-
tion Cemetery.
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral
Home was in charge of
arrangements.
(on Hwy. 47), Vernonia, to Stu-
art M. and Kathleen C.
(Everett) Potter. The family
moved to Clatskanie when she
was four years old. She
returned to Vernonia when she
was 18 and graduated from
Vernonia High School in 2004.
She enjoyed art, the Oregon
coast, the outdoors, fishing,
and her pot belly pig, “Patsy”
and her pug, “Prissy”.
She was preceded in death
by
grandparents,
David
Samuel Potter, and Merle
Everett, both of Vernonia, and
Carol Williams of Libby, Mon-
tana; and an aunt.
Survivors include her fiancé,
Todd Nelson and his son,
Cody, of Rainier; two sons,
Josiah David Goulart and
Jonah Leroy Goulart, both of
Rainier; her parents of
Clatskanie; a brother, Joshua
William Potter of Clatskanie; a
sister, Shayla Elizabeth Potter
of Clatskanie; aunts, uncles,
great-aunts,
great-uncles,
nieces, nephews and cousins.
Remembrances are sug-
gested to the Stephanie R. Pot-
ter Goulart Trust Fund, for her
children, in care of Stuart M.
Potter,
P.O.
Box
653,
Clatskanie, OR 97016.
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral
Home in Vernonia was in
charge of arrangements.
nonia, died July 20, 2011.
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral
Home in Vernonia will release a
complete obituary in the next
issue.
bits.”
The released rabbits will
have implanted microchips and
some will be fitted with radio
collars so conservationists can
continue to track them and
monitor their recovery.
For more information about
the Oregon Zoo’s Columbia
Basin pygmy rabbit breeding
program, visit www.oregonzoo.
org/Conservation/pygmyrab-
bit.htm.
Obituary
HELEN E. DELPLANCHE
Helen E. Delplanche, 98,
Verboort, died July 25, 2011. A
funeral mass was held July 30
at the Visitation Catholic
Church in Verboort.
Mrs. Delplanche was born
February 7, 1913, in St. Johns,
to Achiel and Eugenia (Maes)
Claeys. The family moved to
Belgium when she was eight,
then to Hillsboro in 1928.
In 1935, she married John
“Jack” Delplanche. They made
their home on the family farm in
Verboort. she was a home-
maker.
She enjoyed raising a big
garden, especially her “Bel-
gium peas,” crocheting, cards
and traveling.
She was preceded in death
by her husband; two daugh-
ters, Marie Solomon, and
STEPHANIE RAE GOULART
"A Trusted Name in Funeral Service"
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt
Funeral Home
Dan Raney
Third Generation
Family Owned & Operated
Jeffrey & Kathryn Hoyt,
Gregory & Rachel Hoyt,
Ross Mathews, Dan Raney,
Samantha Humphrey,
Peni Flores.
Attendant: Ray Pelster
2308 Pacific Av. Frst Grv....357-2161
741 Madison Av. Vern.........429-6611
E-mail: Fuitenrosehoyt@aol.com
To sign the online guest book or send
a condolence to the family, go to:
www.fuitenrosehoyt.com
Stephanie Rae Goulart, 25,
Rainier, died July 21, 2011. A
celebration of life service was
held July 24 at Alston’s Corner
Assembly of God Church, in
Rainier, with the Rev. Steve
Barry officiating. Private cre-
mation rites were held.
Mrs. Goulart was born Octo-
ber 3, 1985, at Gasoline Alley
JAMES F. HOLM
James F. Holm, 65, Ver-
STEPHEN JAMES MITCHELL
Stephen James Mitchell, 61,
Banks, died July 24, 2011.
Mr. Mitchell was born
December 31, 1949, in Oak-
land, California, to James and
Shirley (Skaug) Mitchell. He
was an Elevator Field Tech and
Engineer for over 30 years.
He enjoyed golf, fishing and
cooking. He never found a tool
he didn’t expect to need and
was able to fix just about any-
thing.
Survivors include his wife,
Gloria; a son, Zachary; and
three grandchildren.
Remembrances are sug-
gested to the American Dia-
betes Association.
Duyck & VanDeHey Funeral
Home was in charge of
arrangements.
NORMA LEE TIPTON
Norma Lee Tipton, 75,
Beaverton, died July 21, 2011.
Graveside services were held
July 25 at Mt. View Memorial
Gardens, in Forest Grove, with
funeral celebrant Helen Matzke
officiating.
Mrs. Tipton was born April
19, 1936, in Brownwood,
Texas, to Red and Anna Lee
(Horton) McWhorter. She was
Norma Lee Tipton
raised in Texas.
In 1973, she married Jerry
Wayne Tipton. They made their
home in Tigard before moving
to Hillsboro in 1981. She
moved to Beaverton in 1995.
She worked as a purchasing
agent for Fujitsu for thirteen
years, retiring at age 62.
She enjoyed crocheting,
bicycling, collectables, garden-
ing, music, and her dog, “Fifer”.
She was preceded in death
by her husband; a brother,
James Elmer McWhorter; and
a sister, Verna May Casper.
Survivors include four sons,
Curtis Aaron of Springfield,
Missouri; Jerry Dean Aaron of
Brownwood, Texas, Michael
Aaron of Buxton, and Danny M.
Aaron of Beaverton; a step-
daughter, Connie Tipton of Cal-
ifornia; a brother, Lynn Goss of
LaGrande; nine grandchildren;
14 great-grandchildren; nieces
and nephews.
Remembrances are sug-
gested to the Norma T. Tipton
Memorial Fund, c/o Marquis
Care, or the American Cancer
Society.
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral
Home of Forest Grove was in
charge of arrangements.