Prairie Dog Translocation
The Prairie Dog Coalition does not provide or conduct prairie dog translocations, but we can connect you with the resources you need to facilitate this important restoration tool!
What’s the Difference Between Translocation and Relocation?
Active relocation is the physical removal of prairie dogs from one area (the take site) and transferal of the animals to another area (the receiving site). The term translocation is commonly used when a colony is being relocated into an area with prairie dog conservation goals on the landscape scale (ie: creating a complex of colonies for associated species. Relocation may be undertaken to save animals from imminent death or habitat destruction, to reestablish colonies that have succumbed to plague, or to expand large-scale conservation areas. Translocation or population augmentation of a complex of colonies is an acceptable conservation approach to reduce prairie dogs in conflict areas.
Current Receiving Sites for Prairie Dog Translocations
Pueblo Chemical Depot - Pueblo County, CO
* Special arrangement to receive dogs from outside counties!
Contact: Ricky Jones at rickey_jones@fws.gov
Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge - Jefferson County, CO
Contact: Jefferson County Invasive Species Management team
If you know of additional receiving sites in any state, please let us know!
Handling and Translocation Best Practices
Given the prairie dogs’ lack of protected status, varying legal regulations, and population sizes, there is little consistency in how they are handled among agencies, consultants, and organizations.
You can find PDC’s best practices recommendations in Part 3 of Creating Prairie Dog Management Plans. The International Union for Conservation of Nature also has detailed Guidelines for reintroductions and other conservation translocations.
All wildlife deserve humane, safe handling and transportation while in the care of humans. As prairie dog translocations are rapidly evolving and increasing across their range, we want to help ensure the unique biology and behavior of prairie dogs are being considered. These details will ultimately increase the success of the translocation and survival rate of the prairie dogs.
Read the Prairie Dog Action Packet
For detailed information on how to initiate and facilitate a prairie dog translocation!