his point
the burrows were found only along the narrow dry sides of the canyon and
in sage-covered areas at slightly higher elevations than the rest of the
floor of the canyon. Seemingly desirable habitat extended at least three
miles to the south and one mile to the north of the occupied area. The
report of the study in 1943 concluded with the statement that artificial
control by poisoning would be unwise and unnecessary. Requests were
being made at that time to exterminate prairie dogs in the Park on the
basis of the unproved assumption that prairie dogs move from the Park to
surrounding range land where extermination was then being attempted by
poisoning.

On August 10, 1944, no occupied burrows were found in Whites Canyon or
the east fork of School Section Canyon. A heavy rain on August 9 made
accurate count of occupied burrows possible. In Prater Canyon the
occupied area extended 200 feet south of the area occupied in 1943. In
Morfield Canyon no change had occurred. North of the fence in Morfield
Canyon 130 occupied burrows were counted. More than one hole, if judged
to be part of the same burrow system, were counted as one. The
vegetation within the colony had continued to improve in spite of the
large population of prairie dogs.

On August 8 and 14, 1945, although a careful search was made, the only
prairie dogs found in Prater Canyon were living in one burrow fifty
yards from the Maintenance Camp. In Morfield Canyon the colony had
decreased. Occupied burrows were found on the west side of the canyon
near the fence and above the well (17 burrows), and below the well on
the west side (estimated 30 burrows). The total population in both
canyons was estimated to be 100, compared with 800 in the preceding
year. The ground-water table was thought to be rising, and vegetation
was increasing.

On August 12, 1946, two prairie dogs were observed in Prater Canyon, one
near the Maintenance Camp, and the other a mile to the south. In
Morfield Canyon 18 occupied burrows were found north of the fence and 36
below the well, in the same two areas occupied in 1945.

On August 12, 1947, two animals were seen at one of the localities
occupied a year earlier in Prater Canyon, and three burrows were
occupied. In Morfield Canyon 119 occupied burrows were counted. At least
12 dens occupied by badgers were present in 1946, and four in 1947.

On August 9, 1948, no evidence of living prairie dogs was found in
Prater Canyon. In Morfi