Dedicated to the Preservation of Prairie Dogs and their Habitat
PINEDALE, WYOMING —
The white-tailed prairie dog will not be declared an endangered or threatened species after the U.S. government deemed on Tuesday there was no da
nger despite declines in its population from human development and disease.
Read more at: Pinedale
Posted Nov. 15, 2017
A new oral vaccine bait can help protect prairie dogs against sylvatic plague and possibly assist in the recovery of black-footed ferrets, one of the most endangered mammals in North America.
Sylvatic plague, a bacterial disease caused by Yersinia pestis, affects numerous wild and domestic animal species as well as humans. Developed specifically for prairie dogs by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the peanut butter–flavored vaccine elicits a protective immune response that can help vaccinated prairie dogs fight off infection after later exposure to the disease. Read more: Vaccine
This is an interesting article about a squirrel with malocclusion. Over the years we have captured prairie dogs with similar problems. Sometimes a simple clipping of the teeth sets them to right. Other times the malocclusion cannot be rectified and the animal cannot be released. In these cases the prairie dog and the person fostering it face a decision of removing the incisors or a lifetime of trimming. Jim T previously and is currently fostering such a prairie dog.
Here’s the original note that appeared on our Facebook page: Congrats to Mikey! As he was processing in today, doing the 2/4/20 (2 eyes, 4 teeth, 20 toes) he noted that the PD had ram’s horn teeth. The disorder is usually caused by dislocation of the teeth preventing them from meeting and keeping the upper and lower incisors in check. In this particular case the PD had been born without lower teeth, or had lost them at some point in its life. Eventually they would have grown through roof of the mouth and caused death by starvation or infection. YB and C Rex, trimmed the teeth but without lower teeth to keep the uppers in check, it is likely this this PD will not be released. While I don’t have a picture the upper teeth were about 1″ long and curved back into the mouth. The fact that this PD did not starve indicates that he was able to get enough nutrition using his molars.
It is reassuring that the treatment seems to work well for prairie dogs as well. Read More: Treatment of malocclusion in squirrel
Right up front, I am stating that I am not worried about getting the plague, my horses are not going to break their legs in prairie dogs holes and prairie dogs have not destroyed any of my plantings (since they graze primarily on grasses).
Read more: Facts
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has issued a mandate which reinstates Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulation of the threatened Utah prairie dog on non-federal lands. The decision overturns a 2014 U.S. District Court for the District of Utah decision that removed federal ESA protection for the species on non-federal lands and transferred management to the State of Utah. The species is now regulated under the ESA across all land ownerships.
Read More: Utah
South Dakota