The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Purdue Fort Wayne (PFW) have teamed up to return Franklin’s ground squirrels to their native Indiana range, starting with a population at Kankakee Sands nature preserve.

Franklin’s ground squirrels were once found throughout northwest Indiana’s prairies, but the species lost most of its habitat as agriculture advanced. It was listed as state endangered in 1993 after the number of counties the species occupied declined by nearly 45 percent from the previous census. Today, the squirrel’s environment has been fragmented, which exposes it to more negative environmental pressures including predation, vehicle strikes, and loss of genetic diversity.

This is why the DNR, TNC, and PFW selected TNC’s Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands to establish the first translocated population. The site’s short-grass prairie offers the space the ground squirrels need to spread out and thrive.

“The Nature Conservancy has been creating prairie habitat at Kankakee Sands for more than 25 years,” said Trevor Edmonson, project director for the site. “The bison herd we brought to the site in 2016 have greatly improved the prairie with their selective grazing habits. The time was right to bring in the Franklin’s ground squirrel to take advantage of the improved prairie.

“This was the goal of TNC’s Kankakee Sands restoration – to create a grassland conservation area where all prairie plants and animals can thrive.”

PFW researchers collected 25 Franklin’s ground squirrels from South Dakota. The squirrels underwent a veterinarian inspection and 30-day quarantine prior to entering acclimation enclosures and being released at Kankakee Sands. Some of the Franklin’s ground squirrels were equipped with GPS collars to monitor their movements, habitat selection, and survival.

The relocation is part of a larger effort to reestablish Franklin’s ground squirrels in their native range. All three partners are establishing small groups of Franklin’s ground squirrels on managed properties across the area and will monitor their survival in upcoming years.

“By establishing populations on large, managed properties, we can reduce negative environmental pressures and offer a path to recovery,” said Brad Westrich, DNR state mammologist.

The partners will continue monitoring the first group of Franklin’s ground squirrels through hibernation and into next summer. The data from the first translocated population will inform future location choices of Franklin’s ground squirrels establishment efforts.

The work is just one project to help state endangered mammals in Indiana. To learn more, visit DNR’s “mammals” page by going to: on.IN.gov/wildlife, clicking on “nongame and endangered wildlife” and then “mammals.” To donate to help fund similar efforts, please see on.IN.gov/nongamewildlifefund.

 

Finding Indiana’s rare and secretive species

Many of the small animals in Indiana listed as “state endangered” or “species of special concern” have elusive habits or low populations, making them difficult to find. Recently, DNR mammologists and Purdue-Fort Wayne researchers came together with a new survey technique helping to collect the critical data.

By installing a small fencing system working as a gateway with cameras, researchers can capture photos of the animals entering the fencing. The photos are compiled and provide data about distribution, population, and habits of elusive species. Thanks to generous donations to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund, a team of three researchers has already set up 100 of the stations across Indiana this summer. Data has already provided important updates to species distribution for Franklin’s ground squirrels and least weasels.

 

Public comment for proposed changes to bobcat trapping season

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened public comment for proposed changes to allow the limited, regulated trapping of bobcats. In March, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation (Senate Enrolled Act 241) directing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to have rules in place by July 2025 for bobcat harvest. Public comments can be submitted at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket using the “Submit Comments Here” link under the Bobcat Amendments Proposed Rule. Comments may also be mailed to the Natural Resources Commission.

The deadline for submitting public comments is Nov. 14, 2024. A public hearing will also be held on Nov. 14, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. ET at the Southeast – Purdue Agricultural Center, 4425 East 350 North, Butlerville, IN 47223. Interested members of the public may attend in person or online anytime during the timeframe. The public hearing will also be webcast on the NRC’s rulemaking docket website at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket during the time of the public hearing and comments will be able to be made through the online webcast. Sign up for updates at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.

For more information on the proposed rule changes and submitting comments, visit on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.

 

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease in several areas of Indiana

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a naturally occurring viral disease commonly seen in the Indiana deer herd. Each year, typically in late summer, Indiana DNR receives reports of deer displaying signs of EHD throughout the state.

This year, DNR confirmed a significant EHD outbreak beginning in the northern region of the Hoosier State. In some years, EHD can affect a larger-than-normal portion of the deer herd and becomes widespread across a county. In these instances, DNR lowers the County Bonus Antlerless Quotas (CBAQs) in the impacted counties to offset the effect of the counties’ EHD outbreak on the deer herd in the specific region.

EHD is transmitted by biting midges, also known as sand gnats or “no-see-ums.” Deer infected with EHD may display unusual behaviors such as lethargy, excessive salivation, or disorientation. EHD also causes fever in deer, which can cause deer to seek water. As a result, many deer dying from EHD are found in or near open water sources like ponds and rivers. Anyone who finds a deer showing signs of EHD or dead in water is asked to report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

Due to the number of reported deer mortalities and extent of EHD in the region, DNR has lowered the County Bonus Antlerless Quotas (CBAQs) in Wabash, Porter, and Allen counties from two bonus antlerless deer to one to help offset the effects of EHD on the deer herd in the region. During the winter, DNR biologists will fully evaluate the effects of EHD and will propose changes to bag limits as required. Hunters can stay informed about CBAQ changes at on.IN.gov/EHD-quotas.

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com

Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.