The Plight of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs

What will happen to the Black-tailed Prairie Dogs?

How can you resist such a cute face?  The Black-tailed Prairie Dog (shown to the left) has been considered for protection as an endangered species recently.  Yet, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is now considering whether to approve a poison – Kaput-D – that could be used to exterminate the cute little critters!

Marketed as gopher bait, the poison may bring to mind images of Caddyshack, as you consider the plight of the prairie dogs.  Of course, the common gopher is often considered to be an irritating varmint.  But, though the species may look alike, that’s where the similarities end.

A group of black-tailed prairie dogs

When you think about the fact that Kaput-D is lethal for the endangered black-footed ferret, whooping crane, and American burying beetle, foxes, golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, mountain plovers, burrowing owls, and bald eagles, you have to stop and wonder…. why?

Just one year ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ruled that the black-tailed prairie dog was worthy of protection under the Endangered Species Act (EPA), in large part due to the approved poisons that are already killing the species.  Observed Justin Augustine of the Center for Biological Diversity:

“This is like kicking someone when they’re already down.  Less than a year ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the black-tailed prairie dog may need to be protected under the Endangered Species Act because of already approved poisons that are killing the species. EPA should be withdrawing prairie dog poisons from the market in order to protect this imperiled species, and instead they’re considering allowing more.”

Such a cute black-tailed prairie dog

So, exactly what is Kaput-D?   Like rat poison, it is an anticoagulant, which prevents blood clotting.  It can cause animals to lose blood through orifices, including the skin membranes, over a period of weeks. During this time, poisoned prairie dogs may wander around as they become weaker and weaker and vulnerable to predation. At that point, animals that prey on prairie dogs or use prairie dog habitat can themselves be poisoned.

If you want to make a difference, you can.  The EPA regulates rodenticides including Kaput-D.  Write or call them and tell the EPA not to approve the application for the black-tailed prairie dog poison.  Make sure you include the fact that certain endangered spcies, like the black-footed ferret are at risk.

Says Justin Augustine:

“While Kaput-D should not be registered due to its severe negative impacts to all wildlife, it is particularly troublesome that EPA is blatantly violating its obligations to species listed under the Endangered Species Act.  It’s time for the Obama administration to step up and start protecting America’s wildlife instead of continuing the ridiculous antics of the Bush administration. Approving a poison like Kaput-D makes about as much sense as feeding strychnine to your child. No one in their right mind would do it.”

What will you do to help the plight of the prairie dogs?  Don’t just stand by and allow the killing to occur.