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Prairie Dog Pals' News

News from the Sev

This article appeared in the Sevilleta Sentinal!

The Prairie Dog’s newest member

BNSF 1685 will make its debut in the coming weeks

Another article, seemingly about prairie dogs, but in name only....The Prairie Dog Central Railway has a new member that should keep the railway on track for years to come. Earlier this month the Prairie Dog vintage locomotive organization acquired the BNSF 1685, a GP9 diesel engine built in 1957. The addition of a new locomotive brings the PDC’s engine compliment to three and railway officials say it will make for a much smoother operation.

Summit Up 7-29-10: Where animals speak ... the truth

Here's an entertaining story about identification. If you scroll to the bottom of this page you'll see tips for identifying critters typically mistaken as prairie dogs.

OK, here's the deal: A couple of years ago we put a photo in the paper of what we thought was a prairie dog, and we got flamed because, as we soon found out, there are no prairie dogs up in the mountains; those critters you see around that look and act like prairie dogs are the smaller, Richardson ground squirrel (which we now know by the more familiar acronym “RGS”). So in Wednesday's paper, we had a photo of something we were absolutely certain was a chipmunk, but alert reader Tom Gonsoulin of Breckenridge e-mailed to say we were wrong: It was, in fact, a ground squirrel — a golden mantled ground squirrel (GMGS), no less. La-de-da, eh? Regular ol' chipmunk name not good enough for this fella. Read more at:http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20100729/SUMMITUP/100729802/1078&ParentProfile=1055

Trappers kicking prairie dogs out of Utah cemetery

By PAUL FOY The Associated Press Updated Jul 27, 2010 09:34AM

Prairie dogs that have been digging up a town cemetery in southern Utah are being evicted — and not soon enough for local officials, who complain the animals are toppling headstones as they dig. Read more: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/49994814-76/dogs-prairie-cemetery-utah.html.csp

Prairie Dogs Have Their Day

by Ruthanne Johnson

The stars may finally be aligning for black-tailed prairie dogs. Historically considered pests, the targets of poisoning and sport shooting, these native animals are gaining the respect of scientists and wildlife agents in federal grasslands, where colonies of prairie dogs support a myriad of species in decline: burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, mountain plovers, swift foxes, and North America's most endangered mammal, the black-footed ferret.

Read more: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2010/07/prairie_dog_relocation_072710.html

Coming next month in National Wildlife Federation Magazine

Desert Museum gets prairie dogs

Tom Beal Arizona Daily Star

Coteries of Kansans are bringing new life to a dying town at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The migrants, 24 black-tailed prairie dogs from three different families, or "coteries," resided at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita until renovation of their prairie dog town rendered them homeless. Read more: Daily Star

Pix from the field

lc 1

Clockwise from the upper left: Paul and Ellie looking for the second prairie dog to come out of the burrow (Ellie has snagged the first); Paul, Ellie and Eloise (a prairie dog PAL from Ohio); Ellie with the prairie dog, and, Paul and Ellie at the next burrow. Thanks to Nancy Bates for the photographs.

Gone to the dogs

BY Linda Gomez of Dallas, Texas Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 2:23 PM MDT

What a disappointment to arrive in Angel Fire and discover my favorite golf course has gone to the “dogs” - prairie dogs, that is. Our course is being destroyed by these filthy rodents. Not only are they making huge holes all over the course, driving range and Olympic park, but they carry dangerous fleas for humans as well. The resort, apparently, is doing nothing to remedy this problem. What a shame to finally have a new, beautiful club house and then have our course deteriorate before our very eyes.

To read more of this sorry example of journalism click on Gomez

Forest Service To Trap, Move Prairie Dogs In Wyoming

DOUGLAS, Wyo. (AP) ― The U.S. Forest Service says it intends to trap and relocate black-tailed prairie dogs on the Thunder Basin National Grassland in Wyoming. Read more: http://cbs4denver.com/wireapnewswy/Forest.Service.to.2.1801413.html

Suspect slips prairie dogs high-grade flea treatment

Prairie dogs are protected by the city of Santa Fe; they are fed by activists and there is even a statue of a saint watching over a bronze prairie dog at City Hall. But that protection may have gone too far. The city’s parks department is looking into who illegally dusted prairie dog burrows with a powerful insecticide to protect them from fleas.

Read more: CNS

AURORA - A homeowner is pleading for help with a problem that stems from a nearby field - prairie dogs running through his garage. Read more: 9NEWS

A hug, prairie dog style

A prairie dog hugs its one-month-old pup in the Zoo of Salzburg in Austria on Tuesday, June 22. It is the first time that prairie dog pups were born in the Salzburg Zoo. (AP Photo/ Kerstin Joensson) http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2010/06/a_hug_prairie_dog_style.html

Prairie Dogs have Friends in Far Places:

Non profit Italian Organization “ Cane della prateria & Citelli “

Last year a group of people who love so much prairie dogs and ground squirrels, have create this Organization named “ Cane della prateria & Citelli “ which means “ Prairie Dog & Ground Squirrels “ These wonderful animals aren't so much known yet here in Italy, although many people have them at their homes as a pets. Very often people buy a ground squirrel thinking to have a prairie dog. Also the dealer tell them that he's a prairie dog or “mini-prairie dog” We try to inform people about what kind of animal the have at home, how they have to treat them, how to take care of them. We give informations about food, cages, healt and everything is necessary to give them all the best we can. We've written a book called “ Cani della prateria & Citelli “ and we really hope people buy it to understand how to take care of their precious friends. In Italy the best we can do, for us, is to inform, inform and again inform much more people we can do. We subscribe petitions to save prairie dogs in US, and we tell to everyone to join and sign to hel them. We inform people about the life of prairie dogs in nature and we try to teach the that prairie dogs in nature are killed for wrong motivations and that we can support American Associations to make all this cruelty stop. Sometimes we saw a prairie dog in a shop, alone, in a small cage, stressed, with the wrong food. We try to tell the dealer how he has to be treated but it's very hard to make them changes their ways, unfortunately. We've convinced a dealer to give us for free a prairie dog who needed cures and we've take care of him. This year we've adopt a prairie dog family in America thanks to our members and Prairie Dog Pals. We're so proud to have done this and we hope to do it again soon. We've websites with many informations : www.canedellaprateria.info ; www.citello.info ; www.citello.it ; www.canedellaprateria.net ; www.canedellaprateria.org We've a Forum where people can ask us for informations or just to exchange news, pictures etc. www.canedellaprateria.forumattivo.com We love to talk about our little best friends ! Also we have an English forum www.prairiedog.forumattivo.com Our hope is that people from all over the world who love prairie dogs and ground squirrels get together in a big family to exchange as many informations as possible because we know so poor things about them. And to get to our little friends the best we've to know more and more. This step seems to be hard to reach but we hope to do it one day, hopefully not so far. Maybe we can to that together, don't you think ? :) It could be soo nice ! Actually it's very hard to find informations about ground squirrels, especially European Ground Squirrel, the ground squirrels we found here in Italy. We're working to find out as many informations as possible and we would like to put them all together in a new site, in English which we've but actually isn't on line because we've to work on it. It'a avery very hard work but I think that alltogether we'll do it, for all the people who love prairie dogs and ground squirrels but above all for them : Prairie Dogs & Ground Squirrels ! Here our stand with brochures, gadgets, books, pictures etc.. to give the people a chance to know these fantastic animals: Here part of our group :

Who let the dogs out?

Written by Jackie Schlotfeldt Saturday, 26 June 2010 06:00

The sun was barely creeping over the crest of the Los Pinos Mountains, lighting up the early morning sky, that within minutes went from a dull gray to a brilliant shade of blue. It's fitting that this was the first day of summer. Read more: Chieftain

First release of 2010

While it started with our first capture in FEBRUARY!, it came together on the Summer Solstice! Also, see story above.

Ninety-seven prairie dogs were released on 21 June, the summer solstice, at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. The project was the handiwork of many people, but we must recognize Ana Davidson, Mike Friggens and Jon Erz for their commitment to the project and undying, unfazed, and limitless dedication. The excitement started, well with the first capture of the year…nay it started in 2009 when the three scientists approached Prairie Dog Pals with a, offer “you can’t refuse”…relocate prairie dogs to the Sevilleta. I don’t know if you know, but “us taxpayers” own one of the most pristine prairie environments in all of the USA! … and it is a National Wildlife Reserve! You’ll have to visit the website @ http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/sevilleta/ to gain a full appreciation. There are numerous ecosystems from alpine desert to riparian! For the prairie dogs it was Nirvana! Heaven for the displaced, abused, and unwanted prairie dogs, and the rainbow leading to the pot o’ gold. This is not to say it was an “e-ticket”. The prairie dogs would become part of a thriving ecosystem doing the things that prairie dogs do best, being a keystone species and ALL that, that implies!... I know some of you were disappointed that we were focusing our efforts away from Albuquerque, but consider that this may be the “Noah’s Ark” for Gunnisons! A place where they can thrive.

On the left, the prairie dogs are processed out of the staging facility. Their weight and sex are recorded and they are tagged. On the right, the prairie dogs are being released to their new homes in the Sevilleta.

Prairie dogs invade cemetery

The animals are digging up one of New Mexico's historic graveyards. KOB's Gadi Schwartz reports. Hear more: KOB

Prairie dogs invade cemetery The animals are digging up one of New Mexico's historic graveyards. KOB's Gadi Schwartz reports.

From the holding facility:

Pictured to the left is a mom and two of the pups born in the staging fracility. You can see that the pupshave already been weened as the prairie dog on the right enjoys a carrot. Not all the prairie dogs have been so well fed. Pictured on the right is a young pup caught this past weekend who needs a little more help in the form of Esbilac and syringe feeding.

Pictured to the left is Mr. (or Ms.) Bun. The bunny was dropped off by a neighbor whose cat had brought it in. We were concerned about the possibility of a fatal cat bite, but the rabbit appeared to be uninjured. After a couple of weeks of feeding it had grown large enough to be released.

Mayhem on main street

The PDP crew has been out collecting prairie dogs along the Tramway walking path. The project is a pro bono for DOT to remove PDs prior to the widening of the path. The crew was assaulted by a biker with a "bad-itude", a testosterone charged, power drink quaffer, no doubt. The guy was on some kind of high and itching for a confrontation (big helmet, no stroke). Fortunately the cooler heads of our trapping team prevailed. Read more: Yvonne, Paul, & Ellie

County seems free of bubonic plague

by Dale Rodebaugh Herald Staff Writer Article Last Updated; Monday, June 14, 2010

Elisabeth Lawaczeck, a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment veterinarian, reports no bubonic plague has been reported in the southwest corner of the state this year. Prairie dogs throughout La Plata County are burrowing into the earth to make fresh colonies, but so far there have been no reports of prairie dog die-offs, an indication that bubonic plague could be lurking.

Read more: http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/06/14/County_seems_free_of_bubonic_plague/

Photo by JERRY McBRIDE/Herald A prairie dog peeks out of its burrow on Thursday near Santa Rita Drive.

Wild Earth Guardians, 2010 Report from the Burrow:

The Report from the Burrow assesses the state of the prairie dog community by evaluating the last year’s performance of government agencies responsible for prairie dog protection and management. The report is a tool for the public to hold our state and federal government institutions accountable. The collective of state and federal agencies are legally bound to protect our wildlife and habitat.

How did New Mexico do: D (out of A, B, C, D, and F)

Both prairie dog species (Gunnison’s prairie dogs, black-tailed prairie dogs) are listed as “species of greatest conservation need” in New Mexico’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. New Mexico’s Natural Heritage program undertook a survey of black-tailed prairie dogs and reported approximately 40,000 occupied acres in the state in 2004. Historically, between 6,640,000 and 8,950,000 occupied acres existed in New Mexico. There are no reliable estimates of the Gunnison’s prairie dog population in New Mexico. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department attempted an estimate in 2004, but the FWS rejected it. Shooting is banned on state trust lands but is otherwise unrestricted. The state does not monitor or mitigate for plague. The state has no policies aimed at safeguarding either of its prairie dog species. The state has an incentive program for landowners to protect prairie dogs, but no landowners have enrolled. You can see, read and/or print the report at: WEG

Photo of the Day: Children love the Black-tailed Prairie Dog

The Black-tailed Prairie Dog mascot visits a School, inspiring children to care for the natural riches of Janos, Mexico. Read more: http://news.yourolivebranch.org/2010/06/10/photo-of-the-day-children-love-the-black-tailed-prairie-dog/

State's proposed rules will require permits for certain imported animals and ban others

By Deborah Baker Copyright © 2010 Albuquerque Journal Journal Staff Writer SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's new proposed regulations for bringing exotic pets into the state have some hobbyists and store owners squawking. The rules, which are still being refined, would require individuals and businesses to get permits from the department when they import certain non-native animals, birds and fish from other states. Parakeets, finches, frogs and most turtles are on the list. Read more:http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/012241497297newsstate06-01-10.htm

Note: This bears a close watch and study. Broad rules (and selective application) such as these have ways of interfering that cannot be readily discerned or appreciated, caveat emptor!

Sunport

It has been decided that eradication of the prairie dogs at the Sunport will be stepped up at the direction of the FAA. Authorities plan to use aluminum phosphide, that, when combined with the moisture in the burrows, creates phosgene gas. The gas is an anti coagulant and the prairie dogs bleed to death over a several day period in great pain and agony. (For more information on poisoning go to the archives page, poisoning). Following are a number of observations concerning the decision.

Comments and action

In our efforts to prevent the widespread poisoning of the prairie dogs, and the destruction of every other living creature, at the Albuquerque Sunport, Prairie Dog Pals knew we faced a shrinking window of opportunity and a powerful bureaucracy in the form of the FAA. Two of our board members took on this Goliath (in addition to their other duties) knowing the odds were against our success... They are both remarkable for their indefatigable spirit, but as our chances to prevent this horrific event from happening begin to fade, they did ask one another, "what, now?" Here are Judy's remarks in reply....

No, I do not think we gave in too easily. We did the best we could, but for this season we should have known realistically we probably weren't going to change anything. The Sunport's plans were probably cemented when they received their last FAA inspection. [Prairie Dog Pals] learned at the Sunport meeting April 20 that the aluminum phosphide poisoning and shooting of coyotes was pretty much a done deal for this season. The Sunport administration, via their PR contact Daniel Jiron, was kind enough to let [Prairie Dog Pals] know about their plans up front; they contacted [Prairie Dog Pals] . They met with [Prairie Dog Pals] to allow a discussion/explanation.They made it clear then as they did with us (a second meeting they attended but were under no obligation to do so) that this extermination was going to happen to meet the latest FAA directives in light of the Hudson River incident. In their minds (as well as the mayor's), several non-lethal methods coupled with the humane carbon monoxide killing have been tried over a period of years, yet the wildlife persisted to the point that the Sunport was not in compliance with the latest FAA directives. They believe they have done the best that they could. We disagree with them on that point, but I think we made it clear that many people besides PDP think they can do things better. Our two-week blitz to argue for more humane methods than what has already been done has been a good strategy to re-open the dialog about, hopefully, better ways of handling the wildlife hazard to public safety in the future. We met with Major Berry to reiterate the importance of changing the Sunport's wildlife hazard management plan to a more progressive, enlightened, more humane way of dealing with wildlife as other airports such as Portland are doing (we did learn, however, that all airports, even Portland, are using some lethal methods, i.e. poisoning, to control some of their wildlife problems). We have already received a verbal commitment from the Sunport administration to be open to try new, better humane methods in the future if at all practical and successful in meeting FAA directives. We personally talked with Mayor Berry to let him know our city wants an airport that will use more humane methods. He was made aware that people will not take the current plan of eradication without a challenge. We have received support from City Councilor Rey Garduno about a task force (which we requested) to look into this and possibly doing things more humanely in the future. We have City Councilor Benton's assistant on the same page as well. We also have accomplished a statewide awareness and sympathetic support of many regarding the Sunport issue because of people writing e-mails and letters to the Albuquerque Journal (just a few, so far). This was accomplished because of our strategy meeting and getting others to help us/PDP via a network, albeit small at this time. (On a side note, I do believe that we still need to send more e-mails and letters to fortify the foundation of what we started in May to build on for future negotiations). We are planning to talk to Republican City Councilor Don Harris soon; then we will communicate with state legislators and U.S. congressmen about the Sunport and other animal rights/wildlife issues in New Mexico. Especially considering the time constraints and the small group of people in this network since the middle of May, I think we have done very well, as well as to be realistically expected, at this time. Adelante!

Albuquerque Journal, Letters to the Editor, 8 June 2010

Letter to the Editor, Albqueurque Journal, 5/31/10

Albuquerque Sunport Needs Humane Strategy

MANY OF US are concerned about the imminent poisoning of prairie dogs and the shooting of coyotes at the Albuquerque International Sunport. The poison they have chosen to use is aluminum phosphide, an extremely toxic nerve gas, which causes convulsions and internal bleeding in the animals who often take up to three weeks to die in agony. Other threatened animals such as the burrowing owls, who make their homes in prairie dog holes, will likely be killed as well. One wonders what might happen if a migratory bird such as an endangered grey vireo or an eagle happened to eat a poisoned carcass and this deadly poison migrated up the food chain in this way. We understand that airports are under special constraints because they are under FAA regulations to protect human safety. However, some airports such as Portland have a comprehensive wildlife management plan using non-lethal techniques to control wildlife. A quotation from their Wildlife Hazard Management Plan states "While the priority of this plan at PDX is aviation safety, the Port will achieve this goal through responsible environmental stewardship." We demand no less from the Sunport! Although Sunport management claims they have "tried everything but nothing worked," we contend they have not tried some non-lethal and humane methods used at other U.S. airports. The Sunport needs a comprehensive plan that includes relocation, secure and opaque perimeter fencing and hazing methods with full-time wildlife biologists to do the job. This takes money, but the Sunport already has spent a quarter of a million dollars on poisons. This is not a long- term solution, but simply a cheap, easy fix.

NAOMI JULIAN Outreach Coordinator, Prairie Dog Pals Albuquerque

Sunport, feds get aggressive controlling prairie dogs

KOB.com Eyewitness news 4 has learned that an effort to exterminate prairie dogs at the Sunport will be stepped up, with continued threats by the Federal Aviation ... Read More: KOB

Bristol Zoo’s prairie dog pups go for their first walkies

The time comes in every prairie dog’s life when it has to learn to stand on its own two feet. This puppy, one of a litter of four, emerged from the safety of its underground nursery at Bristol Zoo yesterday to play in the sun with its mother and siblings.

Read more: census

Right: During this census season, the DWR encourages all local Gunnison prairie dogs to stand up and be counted. Courtesy photo

Walkin' Jim Stoltz

One of America’s most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers.

Walkin’ Jim gets his name from nearly 27,000 miles he has walked through the wild country of North America. Carrying a guitar and writing his songs along the way, his lyrics express a great love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well. Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals. Visit his website at www.walkinjim.com

To hear his prairie dog song, click on: Prairie Dog

Prairie Dog is nature's natterer: Read More: Natterer

Feds discuss county land

Gov. Richardson urges protection for Otero Mesa

Alamogordo Daily News By Elva K. Österreich, Associate News Editor and the Associated Press Posted: 03/19/2010 12:00:00 AM MDT SANTA FE Gov. Bill Richardson sent a letter Thursday to the Obama administration saying that any effort to consider national monument status for southern New Mexico's Otero Mesa has his support. Read More: Alamogordo

Boulder could loosen rules for killing some prairie dogs

Since 2000, the city of Boulder has made it a goal to humanely trap and relocate prairie dogs whenever the conflict between nature and man reaches an impasse. Read More: Boulder

Longmont exterminates prairie dogs

The city on Monday began trapping and killing prairie dogs in the colony that has plagued Vance Brand Airport and threatened federal and state funding for the facility. Read more: Longmont

Kudos to Ana!

The following is from Ana's link at UNM. Ana is one of the founding Prairie Dog Pals, and continues, to this day, to work towards the preservation of the species.

I conduct research in two primary areas: community ecology and macroecology. I use manipulative field experiments, ecoinformatics, and statistical modeling to address questions on the ecology and conservation of biological diversity at both local and global scales. My community ecology research focuses on understanding the drivers of community structure and biodiversity, often in the context of global change. I have explored these relationships largely by focusing on the roles of keystone rodent species, ecosystem engineers, and mammalian herbivores in grassland systems. My macroecology research addresses questions in basic ecology and those related to the large-scale conservation challenges that face our planet, such as global biodiversity loss and extinction risk.

Check it out: Ana

ENDANGERED SPECIES: Undetected plague poses serious threat to Western wildlife

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2405&from=rss_home

USGS (Thursday, March 4, 2010) April Reese, E&E reporter Plague has emerged as a more serious threat than once thought to highly endangered black-footed ferrets in the Interior West, according to new federal research, in part because the flea-borne disease can lurk undetected for years in prairie dogs, which the ferrets rely upon as a primary source of food and shelter. Moreover, researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey have found that plague may be linked to the deaths of other rare and protected Western animals, including lynx and pikas, as climate change and other factors allow the disease to spread into higher-elevation areas. In total, as many as 200 species could now be susceptible to plague, according to USGS. Plague, a bacterial disease introduced to North America in the late 1800s, has wiped out entire prairie dog colonies throughout the West, hurting federal efforts to re-establish viable black-footed ferret populations. The malady, combined with habitat destruction for both ferrets and prairie dogs, led to the listing of the ferret as endangered in 1967 under a precursor to the Endangered Species Act. "We usually lose the entire population, so that was the common way of thinking about plague in prairie dogs," said Dean Biggins, a USGS wildlife biologist. "It was thought that it came from another host species, some kind of rodent and flea combination that maintained it, then got into prairie dog colonies, and then had to retreat when there were no more hosts left." As it turns out, the disease can lie dormant for long periods, and just because a population has not experienced a massive die-off does not mean plague has not infected a colony, according to the research published in the latest issue of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. "Hazards from plague may exist even where there have never been epidemics," Biggins said. The findings present a new management challenge for wildlife biologists trying to maintain healthy prairie dog populations, especially the federally threatened Utah prairie dog, and recover the black-footed ferret. Treatments effective but costly Researchers found that dusting prairie dog colonies with flea powder and vaccinating ferrets are effective ways of controlling the bacteria. Such treatments proved especially effective in the Conata Basin in South Dakota, home to one of the largest black-tailed prairie dog populations and an important reintroduction site for the black-footed ferret. There, managers responded to the arrival of plague in 2008 by dusting 10,000 acres of the Conata Basin portion of Buffalo Gap National Grassland and 1,000 acres on adjacent Badlands National Park, focusing on key habitat for ferrets. While prairie dogs in the treated areas were spared from the disease, untreated areas saw prairie dog mortalities estimated at 15,000 individuals. "What we've dusted, we've been a able to maintain," said Randy Griebel, a wildlife biologist with the Forest Service, which administers the federal grassland. "Plague has been hitting right up against it and moving around it." A new vaccine developed for black-footed ferrets also proved effective, the studies found. Even so, plague did take a toll on the black-footed ferret population, reducing the population from 321 animals to about 200. "We took a pretty big hit here, but it could have been much worse," he said. USGS biologists are now working on a vaccine that will protect prairie dogs -- a much cheaper option than dusting thousands of acres with flea powder at a cost of roughly $20 per acre, Griebel noted. The introduction of plague vaccines could be key to the success of the ferret reintroduction program, which began in the mid-1990s and now includes populations in the United States and Canada. "There are 19 sites now, but plague throws a monkey wrench into a lot of them," Griebel said. "The original goal was to be at the delisting stage by 2010, and that's not going to happen. But in terms of bringing the ferret back from edge of extinction, it's now got a strong foothold, although it still has long way to go." Threat to other mammals? The surreptitious nature of plague has implications for other species as well. In the early years of the lynx reintroduction program in Colorado, several lynx were lost to plague, even though they inhabited an area thought to be disease-free. And plague could be part of the calculus of threats contributing to the decline of other species, such as the pika, which has suffered from the effects of climate change. "Climate change could be affecting the spread of plague," Biggins said. "We're now finding it where it didn't exist. It's just complete guessing right now -- we have no evidence of plague in pikas, but no one has looked for any. We wonder about other species, and what we might have missed." Researchers are also working to develop better detection methods for plague, whose harmful impacts can extend beyond wildlife to humans, Biggins added. Two years ago, a National Park Service employee in Arizona died of plague contracted from an infected cougar that he had found dead, even though a plague epidemic had not been observed in prairie dog populations in the area. Only about five to 10 human cases of plague occur each year in the United States, primarily in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and only about 8 percent of the incidents of plague infecting humans were traced to contact with prairie dogs. The most common vectors for the plague bacteria are ground squirrels and wood rats, according to federal experts, and plague-infected fleas are particularly common in rock squirrel populations in Arizona and New Mexico. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, at least 76 mammals are known to carry plague. The first known rodent in the United States discovered with plague was a California ground squirrel in 1908. Historians believe the disease arrived in the United States in the late 19th century via Chinese cargo ships. Bubonic plague, the most common form of the disease, kills about 50 percent of its human hosts within three to seven days without treatment and may have been the cause of the Black Death epidemic that swept through Europe in the 1300s, killing more than 25 million people. Click here to read the USGS studies. April Reese writes from Santa Fe, N.M. http://sigs.defenders.org/dowlogo.gif Jonathan Proctor Rocky Mountain Region Representative http://sigs.defenders.org/ghln300.gif 140 South 4th St. West, Suite 1, Missoula, MT 59801 Tel: 406.549.4103 | Fax: 406.542.5632 jproctor@defenders.org | www.defenders.org

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Plan could make peace between humans and beasts

By Mark Havnes

The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated:02/15/2010 06:51:42 AM MST The Utah prairie dog bedevils developers and government officials alike. More than one project has been stymied by the burrowing rodent, listed as a threatened species in southwestern Utah. To read more click on TRIB

Doggone!

Prairie dogs have been eliminated from more than 95 percent of their grassland habitat. And now they, and the vast and complicated ecosystems they sustain, face a new and deadly threat. To read more, click on Doggone

Sunnyslope Estates, wildlife plan suggested as Broomfield council priorities

Enterprise staff Posted: 01/16/2010 11:28:13 AM MST Share Broomfield should complete its wildlife management plan, find a more humane way to euthanize prairie dogs and build a fairgrounds and a long-promised horse arena in 2010. To read how Broomfield intends to euthanize the prairie dogs click on Broomfield

Prairie Dog Wars

...prairie dog wars. Devin Browne brings us a story from Kansas where people are suing and threatening each other and poisoning animals. We look at a fight between ranchers over land, rights, wildlife, and, yes, prairie dogs. Click on WAR

Dramatic Prairie Dog

It's quiz time, Urlbots! Today's subject: the classic "dramatic chipmunk" video. Question #1: What animal is featured in the video? Question #2: From what film is the music in the video taken? Question #3: What is the name of the Japanese morning show from which the clip is derived? Answers: (1) Prairie Dog, (2) 'Young Frankenstein,' (3) 'Hello! Morning.' Want to see it? Click on Dramatic PD

Prairie dogs chat with advanced 'language'

On first appearances they seem to be little more than a kind of nervous ground squirrel with a loud squeak, but new research is revealing that prairie dogs are in fact some of nature's most talkative creatures. To read the article, click on Language.

Prairie dogs are highly social and live in large colonies that can span hundreds of acres of the grasslands of North America Photo: ALAMY

When prairie dogs disappear, invasive shrubs move in

Grassland Guardians: Prairie dogGrasslands in northwestern Mexico that harbor endangered species are quickly being invaded by shrubs, thanks to a dramatic drop in the density of prairie dogs.

To read the article click on Guardian

Prairie dogs have played vital role in grasslands

In a recent article on prairie dogs, it is mentioned that their main purpose in the world is to feed other plains animals, provide homes for owls and plague the herds, fields and wallets of ranchers and farmers. While all of these functions are legitimate, it did not mention the main importance of prairie dogs. To read the article click on Grasslands

Program aims to protect Utah prairie dog habitat

(AP) SALT LAKE CITY - A new program to pay farmers and ranchers to protect Utah prairie dogs on their land may help finally push the threatened animals off the endangered species list, according to organizers. To read the article click on Utah 1/9/10

Feds: Prairie dogs not endangered
By JEREMY PELZER - Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Thursday, December 3, 2009 12:00 am
CHEYENNE -- After a year-long review process, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday that the black-tailed prairie dog should not be listed as an endangered or threatened species. To read the article click on PDs not endangered!

From Time and Dr. Suess

or...in the words of Pogo: "We have met the enemy and he is us"!

Landscaping (landscraping?) with and without clearcutting!

...or how about some pictures of what happens due to over grazing!

Before and after, off road vehicles impact

Exploration and Drilling, anyone?

The picture to the left is pre-development, the one to the right depicts the proliferation of well-sites and roads.

Here's another viewpoint on land and conservation: "Too many owners abused land...it was property law that enabled them to do so. Governments might practice conservation on public lands, but wildlife couldn't thrive, nor could soil remain intact and fertile, on public lands alone. For the entire land community to become healthy, private owners everywhere had to practice conservation as a way of life." by Aldo Leopold.

'You birds are nuts!' Hungry prairie dog bravely fends off bullying starlings

By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 9:38 AM on 20th October 2009

To read the article click on Starlings.

Sister (or Brother) ship!

We are family! Black-tails and Gunnies co-exist! Why can't we?

Pocket Gophers:

We've gotten a lot of calls about "prairie dogs" that are actually gophers. Know your signs!

What you see in the above two pictures are pocket gophers. Their mounds look like this:

The fresh dirt is a dead give away. Notice that there is no discernable opening.

The two pictures above were taken along the walking path on Tramway. In the picture on the left you can see the fresh dirt piles. The picture on the right is of the lowest pile. You can still see the opening and some fresh digging. The hole is approximately 2" in diameter.

When the burrows collapse you might see a 1-2" hole. These are not prairie dogs. If you want to read more about pocket gophers please read our Pocket Gopher Protocol by clicking the following link: Pocket Gopher

I found a recent article about pocket gophers which contains some excellent pictures, one showing the "pockets". To read the article click on the following link: PG

GOPHERS: Fish Oil Emulsion May Make Gophers Move Out

By Richard Fagerlund
For the Journal
Q: We have small children and a cat, but we also have a gopher problem in our backyard. They've been digging up the new lawn we had put in. Is there a safe way to get rid of them? — C.M., Corrales Click on the following link to read the whole response: Bugman

Ground Squirrels:

Ground squirrels are frequently confused with prairie dogs as well...below is a spotted ground squirrel, a native of this region. This is a older mom and you can see she has spots, a longer tail, and recently given birth to a litter. The younger ones are not so easy to differentiate due to the close cropped ears and lack of spots.

These too are not prairie dogs!

However, never never never be taken in by this ruse...

The infamous squirrel massage! Now where is the Spanish Inquisition?

Rock Squirrels (Spermophilus variegatus)

Rock squirrels are frequently mistaken for prairie dogs as well. Generally a good look at the bushy tail or ears will suffice to identify the squirrel. The burrows, however, are a bit more difficult to differentiate as given the opportunity the squirrels frequently use prairie dog burrows. The burrows for rock squirrels tend to be shallow (3-5 feet) and consist of the burrow and living chamber. Following are some pictures of the burrows and a rock squirrel. Rock squirrels are active during the winter, although they can "sleep" for extended periods during cold or inclement weather.

Prairie Dog Pal's "Blog" has Started !

Sunday, 10-01-06

blog

We now have a blog spot.

Please click the link blow to visit our blog for current events and commentary!

http://pdpals.blogspot.com/

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