Five Species Status

White-tailed Prairie Dog

Coalition member Center for Native Ecosystems is leading a coalition in seeking protection for the white-tailed prairie dog (wtpd). In July 2002, the coalition submitted a citizen petition to list the wtpd under the Endangered Species Act. The Washington Post recently reported a high level political employee was caught overturning a decision to list the wtpd for political reasons.

Gunnison’s Prairie Dog

The Gunnison’s prairie dog was also on the list of wildlife species that was illegally reversed by the USFWS. Member group Forest Guardians has taken this matter to the courts.

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

Forest Guardians and advocates filed a lawsuit on Feb. 7, 2007 challenging the United States Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) 2004 finding of not warranted for listing the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Utah Prairie Dog

Although the current population totals less than 10,000 individuals, the USFWS recently denied a petition to upgrade their status from threatened to endangered.

Mexican Prairie Dog

The Mexican prairie dog was listed as endangered in 1970. Therefore, it is illegal to kill a prairie dog on paper. Despite this status, their range is still in decline.