Prairie Dog Pals

Dedicated to the Preservation of Prairie Dogs and their Habitat

Wildlife Partners Unite to Protect Iconic Species from Deadly Plague

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Last month, researchers, wildlife biologists and managers from several federal, state and local agencies gathered at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ (USFWS) National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center to celebrate a breakthrough in wildlife management— the development of an oral vaccine bait that helps protect prairie dogs against deadly sylvatic plague and assists in the recovery of endangered black-footed ferrets (BFF). Sylvatic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas that afflicts many mammalian species, including humans.

Read more:  Collaborate

Small-Scale Die-Offs in Woodrats Support Long-Term Maintenance of Plague in the U.S. Southwest.

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Kosoy M1, Reynolds P2, Bai Y1, Sheff K1, Enscore RE1, Montenieri J1, Ettestad P2, Gage K1.

Author information:

1
1 Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Fort Collins, Colorado.
2
2 New Mexico Department of Health , Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Abstract

Our longitudinal study of plague dynamics was conducted in north-central New Mexico to identify which species in the community were infected with plague, to determine the spatial and temporal patterns of the dynamics of plague epizootics, and to describe the dynamics of Yersinia pestis infection within individual hosts. A total of 3156 fleas collected from 535 small mammals of 8 species were tested for Y. pestis DNA. Nine fleas collected from six southern plains woodrats (Neotoma micropus) and from one rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) were positive for the pla gene of Y. pestis. None of 127 fleas collected from 17 woodrat nests was positive. Hemagglutinating antibodies to the Y. pestis-specific F1 antigen were detected in 11 rodents of 6 species. All parts of the investigated area were subjected to local disappearance of woodrats. Despite the active die-offs, some woodrats always were present within the relatively limited endemic territory and apparently were never exposed to plague. Our observations suggest that small-scale die-offs in woodrats can support maintenance of plague in the active U.S. Southwestern focus.

Prairie dogs vs. private property

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Residents in southern Utah asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to hear their case claiming federal safeguards for Utah prairie dogs have prevented them from doing what they want with their private property.

The rules block residents from building homes, starting businesses and even protecting playgrounds, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Property Owners argue in their case.

“Some own lots in residential subdivisions where they planned to build homes, but prairie dogs moved in first and the regulation forbids permits for their property,” attorneys wrote.

Link:  Utah

Prairie dog soothes East Tennessee’s elderly

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Tucker loves going from room to room at Jamestowne Retirement Home. Fay Jago says, “They love him. If I don’t bring them in, then I’m in trouble.”

Tucker is a three legged chihuahua who was born without a front leg, and he was going to be euthanized. The home’s executive director Fay Jago saw him on social media and saved his life by adopting him.
Now he’s the community dog at the senior home. She says, “Everyone has issues and problems. Nobody is perfect. So why put him down because he’s not perfect.”

She also bought Raspy. She’s a prairie dog that Fay takes around from room to room visiting with residents. One resident spends all day petting Raspy. Jago says, “Ms. Janie loves her. They’ll sit in my office, and I’ll go in there and they’re both asleep on my couch. So it’s a win win.”

They make the residents feel more comfortable, and the residents calm the pets down. Fay says, “They’re regular residents here.”

Fay says she enjoys seeing the residents with animals so much, she’s considering getting more service animals.

 

Link to:  Tennessee

PDP Garage Sale part II

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Garage Sale Part II: Debbie has offered to host garage SALES to reduce the carry over from the last garage sale. We will conduct sales on 3 consecutive days next week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 5, 6, and 7. The Sale will be held at 917 Morris Street NE from 8-3:30 on each day. This is about 1/2 block north of Morris and Lomas, on the left. We could use: more sales items; and help. If you can provide either, let C Rex know at prairiedogpals@comcast.net. Right now we have a couple of volunteers but more would be better. I’ll even buy timothy hay and NOMO for you to munch on….