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The Prairie Dog Project

Research by John Hoogland | Since 1974

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OUR SUBJECT
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Capture & Handling

A closeup of a juvenile's nails during handling. ©MRR 2017

Snow in a trap can inhibit visibility and expose a captured prairie dog to cold and wet. We shake the snow from the traps before opening them in the morning. ©MRR 2017

John pauses to pose for the camera as he shakes snow from traps. ©MRR 2017

We use traffic cones to mark important burrows as well as plugging backdoors when attempting to capture a specific prairie dog. ©MRR 2017

A surrounding has been set to capture a prairie dog. When they are proving difficult to catch, we set surroundings just outside the burrow entrance, usually not baited unless we want to provide extra incentive. ©MRR 2017

Some trap surroundings require up to 36 traps to prevent escape, while smaller ones only require 6. ©MRR 2017

The squad works together to relocate an observation blind. ©MRR 2017

Blinds for the 2017 season can be lifted on and off stilts depending on need for visibility or high winds. ©MRR 2017

The crew pauses to pose for the camera. ©MRR 2017

Squaddie Katie marks the burrow location on flagging tape, which will go on the trap before a newly captured prairie dog is removed and taken to the marking van. Flagging each trap ensures the prairie dog is returned to the correct location. ©MRR 2

Armed with flagging tape, a permanent marker, and a bait bucket, John walks to a surrounding to check the traps. ©MRR 2017

Squaddie Patrick shows Denver Zoo volunteer Tim how to open traps at a surrounding. ©MRR 2017

Squaddie Rashidah marks the burrow number on flagging tape before tying the tape to the trap of a captured prairie dog. ©MRR 2016

After labeling the trap with flagging tape, squaddie Rashidah takes a close look at a newly captured prairie dog. ©MRR 2016

Arriving on site in the morning, the crew collects their datasheet clipboards and bait buckets before retreating to their blinds/towers for the day. ©MRR 2017

Reading the ultrasound machine. ©MRR 2017

John inspecting traps. ©MRR 2017

In the summer, we pull stuffed predators (badgers, coyotes, and bobcats) through the colony to take data on alarm calls. The decoys are pulled using a string at a carefully measured pace. ©MRR 2016

We have dozens upon dozens of traffic cones. ©MRR 2017

Handling is a team effort. ©MRR 2017

Delicately holding a juvenile. ©MRR 2017

Marking a juvenile. ©MRR 2017

We use sandwich bags to weigh juveniles. ©MRR 2017

Squaddie Jimmy engages with a passing family. Speaking with hikers and park visitors gives us the opportunity to explain not only our research but the importance of prairie dogs on the landscape. ©MRR 2017

Nursery burrows by mother. Sometimes we have to write notes on our hands for when we're out of our towers. ©MRR 2017

On busier marking days, captured prairie dogs are placed beneath the marking van to keep them in the cooler shade. ©MRR 2016

A view of the marking van, captured prairie dogs in wait. ©MRR 2016

Baby prairie dogs wait for handling and marking. ©MRR 2016

A prairie dog remains alert as she waits for handling. ©MRR 2016

John checks for eartags before handling. ©MRR 2016

A handling bag keeps the prairie dog and handler calm and safe, with a zipper allowing for varying degrees of access to the animal. ©MRR 2016

The front of the bag can also be opened to allow for head and neck marking. ©MRR 2016

Squaddie Amber holds the trap as John puts finishing touches to a rear-legs marking. ©MRR 2016

Freshly marked prairie dogs are released when the ink dries sufficiently not to smudge. ©MRR 2016

Some adult females receive unique markings other than a number, such as Wetsuit (WS). ©MRR 2016

Taking a tissue sample. ©MRR 2017

Weighing a juvenile. ©MRR 2017

A closeup. ©MRR 2017

An unmarked juvenile. ©MRR 2017

Returning a marked juvenile. ©MRR 2017

Eye contact in the trap. ©MRR 2016

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