Mid City Times

In a significant local conservation initiative, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R), in collaboration with the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center, has relocated a new colony of black-tailed prairie dogs to its grounds.

This effort marks a hopeful step forward following the loss of FWNC&R’s previous prairie dog colony in 2015, likely due to disease—a fate common across their range habitats. FWNC&R natural resource staff members Nic Martinez and David Reasoner, along with Friends board member Megan McConnell, traveled to Canyon, Texas, to capture and transport the prairie dogs to their new home in Fort Worth. The relocation was necessitated by the impending construction of a housing development on the prairie dogs' original colony.

Prairie dogs play an essential role in maintaining the health of prairie ecosystems and offer valuable educational opportunities for the public. “Translocations are inherently challenging and typically are a last-resort measure in wildlife management, but we are fully committed to providing this colony with the best possible conditions for establishing a new home here,” said FWNC&R Acting Manager Dr. Jared Wood. “The threat of disease, which has decimated many prairie dog populations across their range, always remains a concern."

“To mitigate this risk, we will use a flea control bait specifically designed to prevent disease transmission in prairie dog colonies. This preventive measure, which does not harm the prairie dogs, is important in ensuring the long-term health and stability of the newly released animals.”

The collaborative conservation project was made possible through support from Friends board member emeritus Marty Leonard. “I was thrilled to be a part of such a great, collaborative effort supporting the establishment of a new prairie dog colony at the Nature Center, especially knowing that we were rescuing these animals from a precarious situation,” Leonard said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see them safe and thriving thus far in their new Fort Worth home.”

Upon arrival, the prairie dogs were released using specially designed traps that open into artificial burrows constructed by FWNC&R staff and volunteers. These initial burrows offer crucial shelter and protection from predators as the prairie dogs begin digging and establishing their burrow system.

During this critical acclimation period, FWNC&R staff are providing daily food to support the colony’s transition to their new environment. Prairie dogs primarily get their water from food sources; thus, staff carefully select and provide a diet ensuring adequate hydration.

“Working with the prairie dogs has been an enjoyable experience for my team,” Wood said. “While we are optimistic the colony will succeed, we recognize uncertainties in relocating wildlife. The re-establishment of prairie dogs at the Nature Center not only will enrich our pastures but also serve as an invaluable educational resource for our visitors.”

The prairie dogs are now available for viewing.

Photo: Prairie dogs that formerly had been living in Canyon, Texas, were captured and transported to their new home in Fort Worth due to planned housing development on their original colony.