Plague threatens prairie dogs, endangered ferrets in South Dakota

by Amy Judd | August 30, 2008 at 04:28 pm

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Prairie Dog on patrol, Smithsonian National Zoological Park

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uploaded by Steve W Lee

On the grasslands of Badlands National Park in South Dakota, wildlife officials are trying to do all they can to save one of the country's largest colonies of endangered black-footed ferrets.

The deadly disease sylvatic plague was discovered in May in a huge prairie dog town in the Conata Basin. The black-tailed prairie dog is the main prey of ferrets, and the disease quickly killed up to a third of the area's 290 ferrets along with prairie dogs.

The disease stopped spreading with the arrival of summer's hot, dry weather, but it poses a serious threat to efforts to establish stable populations of one of the nation's rarest mammals, said Scott Larson of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Pierre.

The plague, which is carried by fleas, is the biggest danger to ferrets' survival in the Conata Basin and other sites that still have ferrets, said Larson, who is coordinating ferret conservation efforts among five federal agencies.

"It has the capacity to take out more ferret habitat than anything we've run up against, and do it in such a short order," Larson said. "For ferrets, it's the most challenging issue we face."

The ferrets were once pronounced extinct, but after a finding of a colony in 1981 and a captive breeding program, their numbers have increased. Plague has now affected most of the ferret colonies, but conservation officers are spraying white insecticide dust into prairie dog burrows to kill fleas and help save both the dogs and ferrets from the disease.

Ferrets have also been vaccinated.

Things are still touch and go, and conservation officers are learning all the time, but they are hoping this is enough to stop the spread of the plague and save the endangered animals.

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james.marchington

at 05:23 on September 2nd, 2008

Hi, for the record, this isn't a black-footed ferret, it's a domestic polecat-type ferret, used in the UK for hunting rabbits. This species may or may not be susceptible to the disease. Video on how we hunt rabbits with ferrets here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJAWkOx-S3
James M.

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jeep_gir1

at 07:17 on September 2nd, 2008

http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/plague-threatens-prairie-dogs-endangered-ferrets-south-dakota?import_id=48bd39d3b98759.81875931
Plague threatens prairie dogs, endangered ferrets in South Dakota | The News is NowPublic.com (Photo of Talula, by Tori Erika Friberg-Stockton, jeep_gir1@yahoo.com, 2008)

jeep_gir1 has contributed a photo to this story.

BlueisCoool

at 08:32 on September 2nd, 2008

Baby Ferret taking a nap.

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rivetheart

at 08:42 on September 2nd, 2008

rivetheart has contributed a photo to this story.

martinra1966

at 08:49 on September 2nd, 2008

To be honest, I've never seen a Prairie dog before until I visited the Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent, England. They're so cute! So I'm glad to hear about the work that is being done.

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nexos10

at 09:13 on September 2nd, 2008

"All you need is love."
-John Lennon

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milazzy

at 09:14 on September 2nd, 2008

This is Bubba, he is 3 years old.

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Weaslemom

at 09:26 on September 2nd, 2008

This is our domesticated ferret, Skipper. He is almost 2 yrs. old.

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Barbara McPherson

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:27 on September 2nd, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. Things look tough for the ferrets. The video of the mother moving her kits was wonderful.

PixieMeat

at 09:50 on September 2nd, 2008

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bri3nhindman

at 10:25 on September 2nd, 2008

taken at Prairie Dog Town State Park, Montana by Brien Hindman

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izatchu

at 10:38 on September 2nd, 2008

Taken at prairie dog village on Rt. 240 heading into the northeast entrance of the Badlands National Park, South Dakota, 8/12/08.

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T.Oechsner

at 10:46 on September 2nd, 2008

For more information about this ferret, please visit my flickr-site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25007284@N07/2805862285/

He is living in a "Wildlife-park" under good conditions.

T.Oechsner has contributed a photo to this story.

incognito1862

at 10:58 on September 2nd, 2008

FIRST OF ALL, IM SORRY TO HEAR SUCH TERRIBLE NEWS. I AM AN ANIMAL LOVER AND I FELL INLOVE WITH THESE PRAIRIE DOGS WHILE VISITING THE VAN SAUN PARK ZOO IN PARAMOUS N.J.
PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF ANY UPDATES AND I AM HAPPY TO LET YOU USE MY PHOTO IF IT MEANS HELPING THESE ANIMALS IN ANY WAY.
SINCERELY, V. PIOMBO

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david leach

at 11:24 on September 2nd, 2008

i think these animals are amazing !! its a shame about the plague

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putermcgee

at 11:24 on September 2nd, 2008

it would be neat if when you wanted a photo donated, you didn't require people to create an account to either approve or deny the request. just sayin'

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Ariel Odessa

at 11:31 on September 2nd, 2008

That's James, he's about 3 or 4 years old now. I have 3 others, and one recently passed away (unrelated to the plague). I've had a number of pets throughout my 16 year old life (cats, dogs, snakes, fish, etc), and the ferrets are, by far, the best pet. I hope this picture, along with the others posted, will help the cause.

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fraegdegjevar

at 11:48 on September 2nd, 2008

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Chimera Creation

at 11:55 on September 2nd, 2008

This is a ferret I crocheted. His name is 'Chop'.

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colinbritton

at 12:00 on September 2nd, 2008

image by Colin Britton of FreeFoto.com

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pattiea

at 12:23 on September 2nd, 2008

Prairie dog at National Zoo, photo taken by and copyright by Pattie Anderson

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shanolee99

at 12:33 on September 2nd, 2008

This is a picture of prairie dogs held at the San Francisco Zoo, Aug. 2008. It is sad to hear that a disease is killing wild prairie dogs.

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Lori Mackay Photo

at 12:52 on September 2nd, 2008

This is a young wild prairie dog in Longmont, Colorado. Much of the towns populations of prairie dogs have been gassed over the last decade to make way for human "development". This kit was in one of the last colonies to remain within the towns boundaries. The winter of 06/07 had a lot of snow, so the spring plant growth was particularly good. I was able to wiggle on my belly through the tall plants and got some fun shots over a few hours.

Lori Mackay Photo has contributed a photo to this story.

leeshamak

at 12:53 on September 2nd, 2008

I am so sorry to hear about this plague. The particular Prarie dogs in my photo are from our zoo in Connecticut. It was taken late in the afternoon. Thank you for including my photo in your new story!

leeshamak has contributed a photo to this story.

Lensbaby101

at 12:59 on September 2nd, 2008

Prairie dogs are now found not to be the villians they were once thought to be, but actually useful in keeping natural grasses healthy by their burrowing and digging. Although this photo is a domesticated ferret they are related to the black footed ferret, and typical behavior patterns prevail as similar between the two.

Lensbaby101 has contributed a photo to this story.