Actually, they were first introduced to New York by hunters. These compassionate souls wanted something to kill! It turns out the Eastern cottontail (my rabbit) is a highly adaptable species and elbowed out the native species, the New England cottontail.

I think the rabbit's instinct to freeze is not always the best course :)

https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/03/wild-captive-to-wild-working-to-help-save-new-englands-only-native-rabbit/