Our Blog

Building a fence to protect our prairie dog colony!

Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012

    Over the past weekend several board members, staff, and friends of NPAT made the long drive from the Houston area and Central Texas to Mitchell County to finish an electric fence protecting a rescued prairie dog colony that was established on the Maddin Prairie Preserve in 2006.  Initially, the colony was relocated from Abilene and was situated within a 4 acre fenced area.  An electric fence is used to keep out predators such as coyotes and badgers which helps promote the growth of the colony.  The old fence was struck by lightening sometime in 2010 disabling the fence’s electrical box and leaving the colony vulnerable to predatory activity.  The construction of the new fence enclosing 8 acres began on a preserve work day in the summer of 2011 and was wrapped up last weekend.  Check out a few photos from the weekend below!

The beginning stages of the electric fence

Volunteer Lenn Archer wrapping up wire from the old fence.

Volunteer Glen Merkord collecting old fencing material left behind from the old electric fence.

NPAT Outreach Coordinator Phillip Quast and Vice President Kirsti Harms walking across the prairie dog town after putting the final touches on the eastern edge of the new fence line.

An unprotected entrance to the maze of tunnels the prairie dogs call home.  Note the recent tracks on the right edge of the hole indicating recent use of the entrance.

A protected prairie dog entrance. The fencing keeps large predators out but allows the prairie dogs to enter and exit freely.

See more blogs >>