One of our research assistants is working with the Utah Bureau of Land Management to analyze trends in plague-induced prairie dog mortality. The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Alongside habitat destruction, sylvatic plague is a major cause of their population decline. By monitoring various colonies through wildlife cameras, GPS trackers, and radio collars, we hope to help the BLM identify potential vectors of disease transport as well as other patterns associated with the contraction and spread of the plague. We will also be estimating survival of translocated prairie dogs and looking to identify ways to improve translocation success. This data has the potential to better inform conservation planning regarding the Utah prairie dog.
Collaborator
Bureau of Land Management | Website
Project Deliverable
Student Researchers
Talia Niederman, Research Assistant | Talia is pursuing a Master of Environmental Management with a focus in Ecosystem Conservation and Land Management. Prior to F&ES, she worked for the Center for Biological Diversity and the Catalina Island Marine Institute. She is interested in analyzing anthropogenic influences on wildlife populations and collaborating with local communities to develop effective conservation strategies. See what Talia has been up to. | Blog