Pierson Berry: Utah Prairie Dogs

Utah Prairie Dogs: a Road to Recovery by Pierson Berry 

        Prairie dogs are a member of the rodent family that are unique in the aspect that they are a keystone species only found in North America. They are an integral part to the ecosystem in which they live in, and the absence of these creatures would have both direct and indirect rippling consequences. There are five different species of prairie dogs, which include the Utah prairie dog, the white-tailed prairie dog, the black-tailed prairie dog, the Gunnison prairie dog, and the Mexican prairie dog.  

       Unfortunately, One of these species, the Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys parvidens), was listed on the Endangered Species act and later labeled as a Threatened Species. Primarily in southwest Utah, the Utah Prairie Dog can be found in several different terrains, including agricultural fields, arid grasslands, edges of pine forests, and urban areas. The Utah Prairie Dog is considered a social animal, because it lives in coteries, which are essentially small family groups. In a typical coterie, an adult male, one to three adult females, and their associated offspring would be common to see. The Utah Prairie Dog is a relatively small mammal, roughly 12-14 inches in length and weighing about 1-3 pounds. Their fur varies in color, but generally is a combination of shades of black and brown. Mainly herbivores, these prairie dogs feed on grass, seeds, leaves, flowers, and the occasional insect, such as the cicada. These mammals also are a food source for many animals including coyotes, eagles and badgers. As a burrowing animal, these prairie dogs use their extensive underground tunnel system to their advantage, offering protection from potential predators. Their burrows can be 5-10 meters long and 2-3 meters deep, with at least two entrances/exits.  

      During the 1920s, it is estimated there were roughly 95,000 Utah Prairie Dogs. By 1972, due to a variety of factors such as disease, over-exploitation, predation, habitat destruction and modification, that number dropped to 3,300. it was estimated in 1972 that the entire species would be extinct by 2000. On June 4^th, 1973, the Utah Prairie Dog was officially listed as an endangered species, in accordance with the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. 

        However, on May 29^th, 1984 the Utah Prairie Dog transitioned from an Endangered Species to a Threatened Species by increasing in population on private lands, slowly reestablishing stability as a species. One major contributing factor to the prairie dog’s resurgence occurred in 1972, when the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources implemented a program, relocating prairie dogs in private lands to public lands where they historically used to reside. The coalition of prairie dogs reappearing on private lands, and the reestablishment of these rodents onto public lands was what enabled the transition from Endangered to Threatened. As of 2014, it is estimated that there are around 22,000 Utah prairie dogs occupying habitat on both protected federal and non-federal lands, in addition to non-protected lands in general. It’s obvious that the prairie dogs thriving in Western America today was a result of the Recovery Plan of 1991. The recovery plan for the Utah Prairie Dog was finalized in 1991 and revised in 2012. This plan was multifaceted, but as we learned in class, habitat destruction is the leading cause of why a species becomes endangered and sure enough that was the essential focus of this recovery plan. The plan included maintaining and protecting the current prairie dog habitats, as well as establishing additional colonies. A specific sample of the plan was the continuing of annual surveys and population monitoring of the Utah Prairie Dogs, improving their habitat on federal land by adding/treating certain vegetation, and improving relations with private landowners to increase conservation. 

         The Utah Prairie Dogs population status is not what it was in the 1920’s, it is estimated that this species only occupies about 15% of its historic range, but when comparing that stat to the prediction stated earlier that Utah Prairie Dogs would go extinct by 2000, I consider that a victory. With that being said these Utah Prairie Dogs are still susceptible to the some factors we as humans can not directly impact such as natural disasters, competition, and predation. But the factors we do contribute to outweigh the natural ones by a landslide. These factors include, but are not limited to urban expansion, cultivated agriculture, climate change, energy resource exploration and development, fire management, and poaching. Personally, I can contribute to the growth of the Utah Prairie dog species along with all other wildlife by reducing my ecological footprint. I can raise awareness about these mammals and their current state of being a threatened species, along with donating funds to a reputable non-profit organization such as the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Another crucial factor is to be aware and knowledgeable of legislation regarding wildlife, and to vote in favor of wildlife preservation. In several situations in our world's history including, but not limited to wildlife conservation, we have seen a common theme. As time progresses, we as humans become more aware, compassionate, and diplomatic. This is why I am confident that the laws and boundaries protecting these mammals will continue to act as an effective conservation method, and we will continue to see Utah Prairie Dog’s presence among us. 

For more information please visit: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/1203012_UTPD_RevisedRecoveryPlan_Final.pdf 

Works Cited:

"Prairie Dog." AccessScience: Web. 6 March. 2018.

Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. “Endangered Species: Mountain-Prairie Region: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”Official Web Page of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, 6 Nov. 2013

Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Species Profile for Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys Parvidens)." Species Profile for Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys Parvidens). Web. 6 March. 2018.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Utah Prairie Dog Management Plan for Non-federal Lands: Web. 6.March 2018