May 2006

Prairie Dogs: Why are we backing the bullies?

Pictured here is a favorite rodent of mine, the not-so-well known thirteen-striped ground squirrel, or chipmunk, or Spermophilus Tridecemlineatus for short.

This cute little guy lives all over the rocky mountains and the foothills of the front range, as well as extending slightly towards the plains. Though plentiful in the high altitudes all the way to the tundra, this hearty creature has a tough time in the farmlands and plains of Colorado.

Thirteen-striped ground squirrels are losing numbers on the plains. The reason is not farming, or human development. It is not hunters, or natural birds of prey predators. These little guys are losing a war to the Prairie Dog, one of the most vicious and relentless rodents they have ever faced.

Unfortunately, the Prairie Dogs also have proponents and allies among the human population. Not only are they bigger, stronger, and more vicious toward these kind little creatures, but they are helped by humans. When a Prairie Dog colony is relocated, a war is started for control of the new ecosystem. The ground squirrels always lose.

So, why is this happening? Why are so many of your and my tax dollars being spent to help Prairie Dogs eliminate ground squirrels? Are we nuts? Do we want these little guys exterminated for some reason? No, the answer is unfortunately simpler than that, and boils down to little more than bad science and policy making on the part of pseudo-intellectual alchemist-scientists in Boulder, Colorado. These bright human minds decided that the prairie dog, a rodent already plentiful all over North America, needed some help to spread further than their natural habitat, into the habitat of other smaller, less aggressive species.

Yes, you have it right. Your tax dollars are spent by the thousands in order to exterminate small defenseless chipmunks. Who decided that the prairie dogs should live and the chipmunks should be wiped out? Is it too much to expect of policy-makers to base their decision on sound science? Did ANYONE think what effect Prairie Dog relocation would have on smaller species? I, for one, am appalled.

I experienced the effect of this myself, in a small lot of land in Northeast Boulder. Back in the mid to late nineties, I would take a walk, get to this one spot, and have lunch there daily. It was a beautiful piece of land. There were always birds singing, a slight cool breeze, shade, and a peaceful distraction from my hectic life. The chipmunks in the area eventually got to know who I was, and sharing my lunch with them became an every-day occurrence. I eventually even named a few. I actually really enjoyed my time out there. They amused me as much as I seemed to amuse them.

One day, the county decided to relocate prairie dogs to the adjoining property. As soon as that happened, the prairie dogs moved relentlessly to claim “their” land and ecosystem. They moved quickly through below-ground tunnels destroying entire families and eventually the whole community of ground squirrels. Now this plot of land is an ugly, pot-hole ridden wasteland, and is not worth sitting by. The beauty of this little spot is gone, and with it, memories of a small, entertaining community of chipmunks. Thanks, Boulder. You are still batting 1000.