| The Utah Prairie Dog is one species of animal that | | | | land that is to be used for development. However |
| one may not think would have population problems, | | | | since this species has shown declining numbers, |
| seeing that most "rodent" type animals have some | | | | wildlife biologists and state politicians have sought |
| of the biggest litters out of most mammalian | | | | protection measures. |
| creatures. | | | | Safe Harbor, and Coexistence as an Answer |
| But one subspecies that is endemic to Utah, aptly | | | | So there are both extremes to the answer. You |
| named the Utah Prairie Dog, has come under strain | | | | have those who believe that Utah land development |
| that last few decades. Some attribute this to disease | | | | should not be allowed to reach such areas that |
| and naturally occurring population culling, but biologists | | | | should be set aside for the species, and you have |
| are finding that farm poisonings and Utah land | | | | those who believe that their population is not |
| development has created some issues too. | | | | important enough in the wake of local economy and |
| Recently the population count has come in with very | | | | land usage. |
| low numbers -- around 5,000 individuals. They exist in | | | | Most biologists would agree that either side may not |
| colonies underground. Their livelihood is underground, | | | | be realistic due to the repercussions that occur and |
| like most prairie dogs. This is their way of protecting | | | | that a medium should be found between the two. |
| themselves from natural predators and is a way of | | | | So what many land owners and biologists have |
| storing food and hibernating during the winter. Since | | | | devised is some kind way to both support the |
| European settlement brought human populations over | | | | species while development can also proceed. One |
| to the Utah area, poisoning campaigns and | | | | type of resolution is the safe harbor agreement. The |
| development have impinged on their population | | | | Utah Prairie dog safe harbor agreement was launched |
| growth, usually because they are thought to create | | | | in 1998 with a few ranchers around the state. |
| problems with cows and farming. | | | | With it comes an agreement that land owners will |
| They do pose some problems when it comes to | | | | agree to have a set level of prairie dogs, while being |
| human land use and cattle raising. They will feed on | | | | compensated for their efforts to preserve the |
| the same grasses that cows eat and have been | | | | populations. This was a revolutionary pact and has |
| known to overpopulate a given section of desired | | | | come to an agreeable table presently. |