WildEarth Guardians

Monday, March 15, 2004
Coalition Runs Full-page Ads Pushing For Prairie Dog Protection

Ads Ask, "Will We Save the Prairie Dog From Extinction?"
Contact: WildEarth Guardians

Santa Fe, NM - A coalition of scientists, realtors, homebuilders, private landowners, religious organizations, retired military officials, conservation and animal protection groups, and concerned citizens ran advertisements today in newspapers in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico advocating federal protection for prairie dogs. The ads highlight the imperilment of prairie dogs in general - all five species are listed or petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

"It's no accident that all five species of prairie dogs are in serious trouble. This is the result of both government abuse and neglect of these ecologically vital animals," stated Dr. Nicole Rosmarino, Endangered Species Director of WildEarth Guardians.

The advertisements follow on the heels of an Endangered Species Act petition filed on behalf of the Gunnison's prairie dog by the diverse coalition on February 23. This prairie dog species has declined by over 90% across its range, due to historic and current poisoning and shooting, sylvatic plague, and habitat destruction. In addition, conservation groups announced March 11 the settlement of litigation over the white-tailed prairie dog, which requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to respond by October 31st to a citizen petition to protect the white-tailed prairie dog filed in July 2002.

"God commanded Noah to save every species, and today species are imperiled and slipping away. We hope to act as modern day Noahs and ensure that Gunnison's prairie dogs don't miss the boat," stated Dr. Daniel Ziskin, President of Jews of the Earth.

Prairie dogs are keystone species, which play an especially important role in their ecosystems by creating habitat and providing a prey base for a wide variety of predators. For example, black-footed ferrets are among the most endangered mammals on earth, and that imperiled status is traced directly to prairie dog declines. Ferrets cannot survive in the wild outside of prairie dog towns and over 90% of their diet is prairie dogs.

Prairie dogs also have a highly complex communication system - the most sophisticated yet documented among non-human animals. Dr. Con Slobodchikoff has pioneered research over the past two decades that has demonstrated a prairie dog language system which distinguishes between types of predators, specific characteristics of humans, and indicates learning and memory.

"Our findings on the complexity of prairie dog communications should inspire us to take a second look at this animal. Rather than viewing prairie dogs as varmints, it's time to recognize that they are fascinating and important components of the natural landscape," stated Dr. Con Slobodchikoff of Northern Arizona University.

Members of the coalition involved in the petitions for the white-tailed and Gunnison's prairie dogs are also at the forefront of efforts to obtain federal protection of the black-tailed prairie dog and an upgrade to Endangered status under the Endangered Species Act for the Utah prairie dog. The latter prairie dog is restricted to a few counties in southwestern Utah and has dwindled to fewer than 7,500 adults. It was reported by the New York Times Magazine to be one of six wildlife species expected to go extinct in the 21st century. The Utah prairie dogs' recovery program is being challenged by conservation groups given massive and largely unsuccessful translocation, shooting, and habitat destruction.

To view background information, visit our Gunnison's prairie dog issue page or call 505-988-9126 x156.

Contacts: Dr. Nicole Rosmarino, WildEarth Guardians, 505-988-9126 x156 Dr. Daniel Ziskin, Jews of the Earth, 303-497-2924 Dr. Con Slobodchikoff, Gunnison's prairie dog biologist, 928-699-2787