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		Nature Conservancy Magazine: Spring 2005 Nature Conservancy Magazine   Spring 2005 issue Rainforests Nature Stories Podcast Nature Books Nature Travel Nature Landmarks Natural Events Nature Preserves Subscribe to our magazine!

Prairie Dog Management Across the Great Plains

Across the Great Plains, Nature Conservancy staff are wrestling with management issues around the black-tailed prairie dog. In August 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dropped the black-tailed prairie dog from the list of candidates for protection under the Endangered Species Act, arguing that the animal was much more abundant than previously thought. The move triggered a series of attacks on the prairie dog throughout its range. Century-old laws requiring prairie dog eradication resurfaced, new eradication laws were introduced and state agencies began exterminating the animals on state and private lands.

A keystone species of the grassland, the prairie dog has played a central role in shaping the Great Plains. Prairie dog towns once covered much of the Plains. But for generations, the animals have been the bane of ranchers who contend the dogs compete with cattle for grass. Indeed, of the thousands of square miles inhabited by prairie dogs a century ago, perhaps just 2 percent remains.

The legislation impacts a handful of Conservancy sites at this time - primarily in Kansas and South Dakota – but speaks to a larger issue: How does the Conservancy manage grassland wildlife, such as prairie dogs, prairie chickens and swift fox within a property boundary?

Within small, fragmented landscapes, prairie dogs can be destructive. In some cases, overcrowding destroys native prairie habitat and as the population reaches a tipping point it can become unhealthy. In other cases, the animals cross over on to neighboring land to feed and start new colonies, causing economic problems for adjacent ranches.

With this in mind, the Conservancy closely monitors prairie dog towns on its own land and works with partners across the Plains on management plans that balance sustainable populations and respect for ranchland. On Conservancy land, staff has considered a variety of measures including raptor perches to encourage avian predators and various types of barrier fencing to prevent the animals from crossing onto private ranch land.  Moreover, in some cases, the Conservancy culls its prairie dog population to ensure the population does not reach a tipping point. The Conservancy is also considering experimental measures. The organization is in the early stages of discussing a partnership with the Department of Agriculture to test the benefits and limitations of a new prairie dog contraceptive.

As fences and property boundaries continue to fragment the landscape, conservationists face increasing challenges in management of many wildlife species. For the prairie dog, the Conservancy’s goal is to ensure a healthy, vibrant population across the Great Plains.

related links

Understanding the Underdog
Nature Conservancy magazine, fall 2004
Vilified as a varmint by some, the prairie dog may yet turn out to be the savior of the North American grassland.