Prairie Dog Pals

06/17/2026

https://abcnews.com/US/us-lost-half-historical-grasslands-experts-important-protect/story?id=133940093

America has lost about half of one its most prominent and iconic landscapes, and protecting what's left is key to ensuring healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

06/17/2026

Ray and C. Rex were out on the golf course on Tuesday… and before anyone says it—yes, we were working. Our assignment took us to Los Altos Golf Course, continuing the ongoing effort to humanely relocate prairie dogs.

I’ll admit something I already know deep down: prairie dogs can be prolific. Last year, through persistence and a lot of patience, we relocated 87 prairie dogs along fairways 18, 1, and 9. Still, I knew there were a few left. Remember prairie dog math—if you see three, there are ten more that you don’t see. Today was a return visit, with the usual mix of satisfaction (captures) and inevitability (yet to be captured).

Consider the food chain of complaints: clients notice, the “owner” hears about it, and eventually someone has to act. Fortunately, we’re the “someone,” and our role is to relocate these little intruders as humanely as possible.

Out on the back nine, I spotted what looked like a distant, shifting mass. My first thought: “Well, that’s a flock of turkeys.” Ray quickly corrected me—it was a flock of Canadians. Not the human kind, but a parade of geese meandering across the fairway. There’s a perfectly good pond nearby, but apparently the green was the preferred restroom of the day.
As we approached, Ray noticed movement near
one of the burrows. At first glance, it might have been a tortoise or a turtle. A closer look revealed a red-eared slider. Though not terribly far from the water, it was far enough to raise some concern. Ray, having more experience with turtles, observed her behavior and concluded she was using a prairie dog burrow as a nesting site. We gave her a wide berth and hoped for the best.

By the time we wrapped up our work, she had finished as well and was already making her way back to the pond. With any luck, her efforts will pay off.

06/15/2026

While not about prairie dogs a nice story all the same:

See how San Joaquin kit foxes are using California solar farms for shelter. Learn how smart design creates new habitats for wildlife.

06/13/2026

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/animals/watch-cute-baby-prairie-dogs-pop-out-of-their-burrow/vi-AA25nREW

The animal lovers at ZooEarthTV capture charming baby prairie dogs peeking curiously out from their underground burrow.

06/13/2026

FYI:

It marks the state's first human case of plague in 2026, though New Mexico typically sees a handful of plague cases each year.

06/13/2026

Happy Flag Day!

06/09/2026

I am posting this with reservations. Prairie Dogs are a keystone species important to the health of the prairie ecosystem. The article treats them and their plight far too lightly.

Every once in a while, animals decide that they want to be dramatic. For whatever reason, they turn their acting skills to the max and act out a scene straight from a movie. One example is the prairie...

06/05/2026

https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/development-leads-to-displaced-prairie-dogs-along-lubbock-roadways/?nxsparam=6

Prairie dogs have been considered a staple for the city of Lubbock, complete with a landmark, Prairie Dog Town, for those to visit to see them. But following recent development and the spring seaso…

06/05/2026

Ray and Cynonys were out this week for a quick trip to Los Altos. While we had planned to start a bit later in the month, the staff was concerned about burrowing activity around some of their controllers and requested we come out and clear those PDs. We captured five but there are a few left that we'll address in follow up visits. We did get the ones in the immediate vicinity of the controllers so think the situation is resolved for the moment!

06/04/2026

Antiquated thinking: https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/senator-hoeven-urges-action-on-north-dakota-prairie-dog-management/