Translocation of Utah Prairie Dogs

Research Task: 83279NA.11.0
Task Manager: Dean Biggins

Although methods for translocating threatened Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parviden) have been refined over the past 25 years, post-release loss rates remain high at many sites, and persistence of populations is low. Reestablishment of viable populations on public lands is critical to the security of the species. This task is testing methods to improve the short-term retention and survival of prairie dogs at release sites. These include visual barrier fences and electric fencing to temporarily restrict the post-release movements of prairie dogs, and artificial burrow structures and mowing to increase the attractiveness of sites to prairie dogs. Additional longer-term studies are being conducted to investigate effects of plague and habitat quality on population attributes. Because translocations and reintroductions are rapidly becoming necessary for conservation of other prairie dog species, study results will have broad application.

 For more information contact Dean Biggins

Related Products

Publications

• Variation in torpor patterns of free-ranging black-tailed and Utah prairie dogs across gradients of elevation
• Treatment of black-tailed prairie dog burrows with deltamethrin to control fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) and plague
• Challenges to reestablishment of free-ranging populations of black-footed ferrets