The Utah prairie dog & the Endangered Species Act
photo courtesy of Brian SlobeThe Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), found only in southwestern and central Utah, was listed as an endangered species on June 4, 1973 (38 FR 14678). At the time of listing, the species was threatened by habitat destruction and modification, over-exploitation, disease, and predation. Subsequently, Utah prairie dog populations increased significantly in portions of their range, and on May 29, 1984 (49 FR 22330), the species was reclassified as threatened with a special rule to allow regulated take of the species. This special rule was amended on June 14, 1991 (56 FR 7438), to increase the amount of regulated take allowed throughout the species' range.
Utah Prairie Dogs (UPDs) historically occupied several Utah Counties, as far south as Iron County and as North as Millard County; to the East, they reached into Garfield and Wayne Counties. Today, the majority of UPDs are found in Iron, Garfield, Wayne and Piute Counties. Human population growth within the range of the Utah prairie dog has resulted in conflicts between species recovery and land-use practices and development. Several efforts have been implemented to facilitate the recovery of the Utah prairie dog; however, effective coordination among recovery efforts, regional planning and development must be enhanced to facilitate accomplishing desired management goals.