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• White-tailed prairie dogs (C n~ omys leucurus) occur within <br /> the planning unit in those areas shown on overlay ~3. In <br /> four of these areas there are scattered prairie dog holes, <br /> indicating a sparse and unconcentrated population. In <br /> two areas, one north of Youngs Peak and the other south <br /> of Wells Gulch, the prairie dog group is concentrated <br /> enough to constitute a "town." These towns could be a <br /> public attraction because of aesthetic or scientific <br /> appeal. Lechleitner (1969) and Armstrong (1972) indicate <br /> that hybridization between white-tailed prairie dog and <br /> Gunnison's prairie dog (C ny omys gunnisoni) may be occurring <br /> in the planning unit, but more scientific investigations <br /> need to be done to delineate the species or subspecies <br /> in the area. Prairie dogs are normally attracted to areas <br /> of subclimax vegetation caused by grazing. Grazing use <br /> has been so heavy that little forage, even for prairie dogs, <br /> exists. <br />• The black-footed ferret (Mustela ni u es) preys on the <br /> prairie dog (C nomys spy.), and near Hotchkiss three <br /> recent unconfirmed sightings were made and several suspected <br /> "trenches" were found. Since this species is an endangered <br /> species, this would indicate that perhaps these important <br /> predators are present in the planning unit (see overlay <br /> ~3). <br />This broad spectrum of animal life should be preserved, as <br />much as possible, to provide a stable base for the ecosys- <br />tem and help maintain a stable cycle of nutrients and <br />energy. The diverse life zones and species will also <br />serve as an outdoor ecology laboratory for the general <br />public. A wide variety of interspersed vegetative types <br />provides the best habitat for maintaining the diversity <br />of species desired. Because of extremely heavy grazing, <br />NF-WL-III-15 4/76 RWM <br />