PDP Operations Archives - Page 3 of 5

Site Preparation

September 10, 2010 by PDP

Site preparation covers all aspects of creating an artificial environment for the prairie dogs once they have been released to their new home in the wild.

Besides our volunteers, the most precious commodity in the relocation process is relocation habitat. Very few people or groups are willing to provide land for the reintroduction of prairie dogs. Additionally the site must meet rigorous criteria to ensure that it is suitable for the introduction of prairie dogs. The site is evaluated based on vegetation, soil type, terrain, and biological appropriateness in terms of existing species and the whether or not it is traditional habitat for the prairie dogs being relocated.

Very few sites are ideal. We have had some success with the city of Albuquerque open space, tribal land, and private landowners. We are partnering with educational institutes and wildlife refuges for future relocations. Our vision is to secure sufficient habitat to accommodate all prairie dogs threatened with habitat loss, state wide.

Here is a picture of our relocation habitat on the west mesa in Albuquerque. Once the site has been selected, site preparation begins.

Cage caps are used to contain the prairie dogs during the relocation process. The cage caps are placed over the ends of the tubes leading to the artificial burrows. They allow the prairie dogs to become acclimated to their new environment without the threat of predation. In the picture above a volunteer is constructing a cage cap. The caps are made of 1/2” square hardware cloth.

The nesting boxes are made out of donated 15-25 gallon nursery pots. In the picture above the holes to accommodate the tubes are being cut into the pots.

The holes are slotted to accommodate the corrugated tubing.

The nesting box is filled with hay and capped with hardware cloth. The hardware cloth will allow waste to filter to the ground under the nesting box.

The nesting box is inverted and the tubing attached.

Holes to accommodate the nesting boxes can be machine excavated using an auger or backhoe. The picture above shows an augured hole.

The augured hole has a 45-degree “ramp” to the surface to accommodate the tube coming out of the side of the nesting box.

The nesting box in place.

Finished product. The ends of the tubes are capped to prevent occupation by other animals.

Notes: With the city we use a bobcat with the following attachments: 24” auger, a 12” backhoe/bucket and a blade. The holes get augured first, then the “ramps” are cut, then the nesting box is set, and then the hole is backfilled using the blade. Shovel work is required to dress up the area. Alternatively you can use a backhoe for the whole operation. We try to minimize the damage to the grass by minimizing passes and traffic.

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Trapping

September 10, 2010 by PDP

Prairie Dog Pals catches prairie dogs in two ways, by trapping and by flushing.

These prairie dogs are interested in the bait.

Trapping is a labor intensive and time consuming process. Traps must be monitored at all times to insure the safety of the prairie dogs. Humane traps are employed to catch the prairie dogs. The traps are baited with carrots, apples, corn or other foods. Trapping works best in areas where there is not an abundance of natural forbs and grasses as the prairie dogs will be attracted to the bait.

The traps are set out at or near active burrows. It takes 30-60 minutes for the prairie dogs to become active after the traps have been placed.

The traps are designed in such a way as to insure that the prairie dog is well inside the trap before the trip mechanism can close the door. This prevents injuries.

Once a prairie dog has been trapped, the trapper will move slowly towards the trap in order not to panic the prairie dog. A towel will be placed over the trap to calm the prairie dog. The trap will be moved to a temporary staging area where the prairie dog is removed from the trap and placed into a holding kennel. The kennels are labeled with the family groups and/or the prairie dogs are marked with dye. At the end of the day the kennels will be moved to the staging area and the prairie dogs processed.

The prairie dogs cannot remain in the traps for more than 10-15 minutes as they may panic or can become heat stressed. The holding kennels must be kept cool. Periodic pick-up of the kennels may be required during elevated summertime temperatures.

For the trapping checklist that we use, please click here, and for the flushing and trapping checklist that we use, please click here!

Once the prairie dogs have been captured, we bring them to the staging facility. There they are checked for health issues then placed with their family members for feeding and observation. When they are ready, they will be released to their new, safer, locations.

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Flushing

September 10, 2010 by PDP

Prairie Dog Pals catches prairie dogs in two ways, by trapping and by flushing.

For flushing, we use a 500-gallon tanker. The tank contains clean water and biodegradable, non-toxic soap. The mixture is pressurized using an irrigation pump and hoses are run out to the burrows.

There are many ways to make foam. We use a nozzle hooked to a chamber with baffles in it to make foam. The foam has entrained air so the mixture will not drown the prairie dogs. The mixture is directed into the burrows.

Not all burrows contain prairie dogs and not all prairie dogs come out when flushed. Gunnison’s prairie dogs typically block their burrows at night to avoid attracting predators. They also can block the burrow during inclement weather and when being flushed. They have escape chambers and air chambers as well to allow them to escape from the foam. Here a prairie dog has emerged and been captured.

The prairie dog is dried off; saline is placed in its eyes to rinse out any soap residue or grit.

The prairie dog is placed in a kennel. Family groups are maintained by using different kennels (typical) or food dye to differentiate between the families. The family groups are kept intact throughout the relocation process.

For the flushing and trapping checklist that we use, please click here!

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Artificial Burrow

September 10, 2010 by PDP

The nesting box has been prepared, the holes are cut in the bottom and side, it has been filled with hay and the bottom, hardware cloth has been attached. To the left is the corrugated tubing.

Artificial burrows provide a temporary home for the prairie dogs during the relocation process.

The nesting boxes, or artificial burrows, are constructed of 15-25 gallon nursery pots. The bigger the pot, the more prairie dogs it will accommodate (keeping family groups in mind). You can usually get these donated. However, you want the rigid ones that are injection molded, and not the flimsy ones that are blow molded. The flimsy ones can crush during the back filling. To find out how to make one, click here.

The nesting boxes must have 2, 4” holes drilled into them with the hole cutter, one in the middle of the bottom, and 1 on the side, about 2” down from the top. The holes must be slotted (8 slots about 1” deep) using the mini grinder and cutting wheel. The slots allow the tube to be forced into the pot and held securely.

The nesting box, with the tubing attached has been placed into the augured hole and is ready to be back filled.

A piece of 1/2”x1/2” hardware cloth needs to be cut to fit over the open end of the nesting box. The rim of the pot is either drilled with a number of holes so that the cloth can be sewn to the pot using wire or the cloth can be stapled to the pot. If it is stapled to the pot, care must be taken when handling and setting the pot so that the hardware cloth is not pulled away from the pot.

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Humane Trapping Checklist

September 10, 2010 by PDP

Survey the site, plot out the coteries with experienced help.
Walk the site and note or mark active burrows; observe prairie dog activity (with binoculars) to confirm.
Verify number of traps to be used at the selected site (Count TWICE!).
Set ALL traps for 100% visibility at all times.
Set the traps near the active burrows.
“Plant” each trap so the bottom is slightly buried in dirt.
Test each trap to verify it is in working order when baiting.
Bait each trap for the requirements of the specific site.
Use “teaser” food as appropriate, leading to the entrance of the trap.
Expect 15-30 minutes for the prairie dogs to resume activities after disturbances.
Relocate traps at appropriate intervals (disturbances, picking up a trap) if prairie dogs are inactive in one area.
NEVER LEAVE A SITE UNATTENDED.
Walk (don’t run) to cover captured prairie dog in a trap with a heavy towel; do not approach directly.
Carry trap covered by the towel ONLY by the handle or the ends (NO fingers through the wire).
Lightly dust each new capture with flea powder.
Transfer prairie dog from trap to hay-filled kennel with a spotter by inserting trap into kennel and releasing bottom door (two person job).
Count the number of prairie dogs and identify the capture location by marking the tape label on the kennel.
Mark the individuals with food color if multiple families are placed in the same kennel.
Stage holding kennels in a protected location away from exposure to the elements and potential passersby.
Discard kennel hay that may be contaminated with flea powder or fleas with bedding hay.
Collect all traps at the end of the session and leave bait near burrows for remaining prairie dogs.
Verify number of traps retrieved (Count TWICE!).
Verify all materials are retrieved (Towels, tote bins, binoculars, etc.).

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