Even in states where their populations are controlled, the animals reproduce very quickly. But, in order to accomplish this, the prairie dog must have a complete makeover. It can't be thought of as a pest anymore, thus the public relations program. NWF President Mark Van Putten notes in the article that 98 percent of the animal's natural habitat has been lost. Even the NWF has conceded that there may have been 5 billion prairie dogs at one time.
Prairie dogs are astonishingly destructive to ranch and farmlands.
In most states where prairie dogs are found, Truelsen notes, they are officially listed as a nuisance or pest.