Tens of thousands of prairie dogs could be poisoned under a new Forest
Service plan -- take action now to stop it.

On the American Plains, prairie dogs are essential to the entire
community of life... Several creatures depend on these burrowing
creatures for their livelihood -- including the endangered black-footed
ferret.

Please forward this message on to friends and family who care about
wildlife


Twenty-five years ago, the black-footed ferret was thought to be gone
forever.

But with a Forest Service plan to poison prairie dogs -- their main
prey -- in the most important recovery area for the black-footed
ferrets, their journey back from the brink of extinction could be in
jeopardy. Dear Rev. Ronald L., The prairie dog is an important
character on the American Plains. Burrowing owls, rabbits, snakes and
other ground-dwelling creatures all make their homes in prairie dogs'
elaborate underground communities. And prairie dogs are a staple for
endangered black-footed ferrets and other Great Plains predators.

Now, the Forest Service wants to poison and kill tens of thousands of
these furry critters.

Take action now -- urge the Forest Service to stop the prairie dog
massacre.

Tens of thousands of prairie dogs could be poisoned and killed -- but
it's not only these tunneling critters that stand to suffer.

Because so many other creatures depend on prairie dogs for survival
-- from burrowing owls to badgers, swift foxes to snakes -- the entire
grassland ecosystem is at risk.

Help stop a harmful Forest Service plan to poison and kill tens of
thousands of prairie dogs -- and harm the balance of life on the
American Plains.

Last year alone after a similar rule change, nearly 70,000 prairie dogs
were killed on National Grasslands bordering private land.

Now, the Forest Service is proposing to make it easier to poison and
kill prairie dogs on three more public grasslands including the Buffalo
Gap National Grassland -- key habitat for the recently reintroduced
swift fox and the most important recovery area for the endangered
black- footed ferret.

Don't let this dangerous proposal see the light of day -- write the
Forest Service now!

As always, thank you for all you do to protect our wildlife and wild
places.

Sincerely,

Rodger Schlickeisen
President
Defenders of Wildlife

[Posted in FML 5406]