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Adam Kavalunas

Utah Prairie Dog Recovery Biologist at

the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Adam Kavalunas has spent more time outdoors relocating prairie dogs and

studying wildlife than most people spend sleeping. Born a Michigan outdoorsman, Adam

obtained a degree in Wildlife Management from Lake Superior State University in 2002

through which he gained a love for all the little critters. Adam was exposed to the

southwest on a family trip, and shortly thereafter in 2005 was hired as a seasonal hand

by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. It was then that Adam was introduced to the

Utah prairie dog and all of the issues surrounding it. After being hired full time in 2009,

Adam took the reigns of the Utah prairie dog preservation effort.
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Expecting to ask for an interview and

to schedule a time, I gave Adam Kavalunas

a call. I had tried contacting multiple other

authorities on the Utah prairie dog to no

avail, so I was taken aback when he quickly

replied Im free right now, lets do it now!.

As I rushed to find my audio recorder, Adam

explained that he had just wrapped up a

meeting with his wildlife technicians and had

a few minutes to spare. He was eager and

willing to answer any questions I had, and

seemed to have the energy of a man that

spends his days outdoors.

Q: Were there any significant events that peaked your interest in the prairie dog

or was it more of a progressive process?

Adam: I did a lot of bird work - I was interested in birds and still am to a degree, I

still try and get on those projects, but a position opened up in mammals, specifically

prairie dogs and Ive always been interested in the wildlife the nobody really - you know

if we dont hunt for it, if we dont fish for it, nobody really cares about it - so I've always

had a soft spot for all the little critters that I see. I did a lot of hunting growing up as a kid

sitting there in the tree stand looking at all the little birds flittin around and little squirrels

jumping around the trees. Its always interested me so it was a good fit.
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Q: What exactly are your responsibilities with the

UDWR?

Adam: Between myself and my coworker

Jessica, were the two prairie dog biologists. She

does more of the management side, like I said

building projects, and managing conflicts with

prairie dogs that get into houses and backyards,

and then I kind of handle more of the recovery

side which is, you know, public lands relocations,

research and stuff like that. So between the two

of us we manage all things prairie dog.

Q: I know theres been some back and forth between the State and federal

government about who should manage the prairie dog, with the federal government

taking over just two weeks ago. What are your thoughts on that?

Adam: Well, we would prefer to have it managed under us. Weve had

management now for two and a half years, and the population has done great. The last

couple years have been some of the highest population estimates weve had. Our plan

was supported quite well locally. Since we got to write our own plan, we gave ourselves

more flexibility with when we can move prairie dogs, how many people could build on

top of prairie dogs, that kind of thing because we wanted it to be very community

supported. But at the same time also provide for recovery of the species, weve moved

more prairie dogs over the last couple of years than weve moved in a long time so
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were helping to bolster those public land populations where the animal has full

protections.. Were definitely disappointed to see the ruling go the other way.

Q: What would you be happy with knowing youve done in ten years?

Adam: Well I think ultimately we would hope that we could get the prairie dog

delisted. There are certain parameters that need to be reached to delist a species which

means taking off the endangered species list. Populations need to be at a certain level

for at least five consecutive years so we're at least that far away, but the direction weve

been going weve been moving a lot more prairie dogs, populations on the public lands

are doing well, were developing more resistance to some of the diseases that really

impact their population. So if in ten years we had the population delisted and it was

completely managed under our authority I think that would be a good accomplishment.

As our time came to a close, Adam had one message to give the public: Keep an

open mind about the prairie dog. It is an incredibly valuable resource, and deserves a

second thought. No doubt his gentle giant like love for the little animal presents a small

bias - but Adam does his best to understand and sympathize with those that bust axles

in prairie dog burrows or are prevented from building over burrows. This may be why the

public is behind him and his team (KSL 1). His balanced, levelheaded, and just authority

was evident, even over the phone.

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Note: Because all of the prairie dog specialists are down in southern Utah with the
prairie dogs and my luck in getting in a car accident and losing my car, I was unable to
interview anyone in person. I hope I was able to do a good enough job over the phone.

Works Cited:

1. ODonoghue, Amy Joi. "Utah Wildlife Managers Lament Prairie Dog Ruling."

KSL.com. KSL, 31 Mar. 2017. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. <https://www.ksl.com/?

sid=43701360&nid=148>.

2. Daniel, Kristen. "Prairie Dog Translocation Sites Crucial to Recovery." Iron

County Today. Iron County Today, 29 Aug. 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2017. <http://

ironcountytoday.com/bookmark/19983040-Prairie-dog-translocation-sites-crucial-to-

recovery>.

3. St. George News. "Bill Sponsored by Vickers For Prairie Dog Relocation

Program tremendous Success." St George News. St George News, 2 Dec. 2015. Web.

15 Apr. 2017. <https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2015/12/02/bill-sponsored-

by-vickers-for-prairie-dog-relocation-program-tremendous-success#.WQDOtlLMxL8>.