All are traumatic. In addition, we need every prairie dog we can get on the prairie now. FWS refrained from actual designation due to a lack of political will. That said, prairie dogs should not be removed from the prairie, but should be protected in their native habitat to ensure their long-term survival as a species. Prairie dog associated species need every prairie dog they can get on the prairie now.
Prairie dogs are social animals with a sophisticated social network.
They live in coteries, where one adult male, several females, and their young comprise a family unit. A multitude of coteries makes up a colony, which is fiercely defended against trespassers from other colonies. Within these prairie dog communities exists one of the most sophisticated communication systems in the non-human world. Researchers decoding prairie dog language now believe these little mammals can distinguish between a human wearing a red shirt versus a yellow shirt. In addition, prairie dogs distinguish between humans exhibiting threatening and non-threatening behaviors.