Prairie dogs now occupy less than 1 percent of their historic range. Threats to black-footed ferrets also include canine distemper. They are also susceptible to road kills and trapping. It's recommended that individuals contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before initiating activities that affect prairie dog towns. Report any suspected black-footed ferret sightings to a wildlife agency.
Prairie dogs are essential to black-footed ferrets.
Dog towns provide habitat for other rare species such as mountain plovers, burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons, swift fox, and game species like antelope. Some Management and Reintroduction Consideratons 1985, both published by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.