Despite the confirmation of the Sylvatic Plague in a single carcass of a Black Tailed Prairie Dog at the park, Grasslands National Park continues to welcome visitors as usual. As SWTV News first reported on Friday,as a precautionary measure, Parks Canada is advising the public of a single Prairie Dog mortality in Grasslands National Park, which has been confirmed as a result of Sylvatic Plague. Sylvatic plague is a rare but naturally occurring disease in native wildlife, primarily affecting ground squirrels throughout the Southern prairies. Grasslands National Park Remains Open for public enjoyment and use. The black-tailed prairie dog carcass was found on the edge of the Larson prairie dog colony and away from the road, in the park. Parks Canada continues to monitor all prairie dog colonies in the area and the rest of the Larson prairie dog colony continues to be active and appears normal.

Transmission to humans is through an infected flea bite. Contact with infected fleas is rare. The last confirmed case of human infection in Canada was in 1939, and was non-fatal.As a precautionary measure, Parks Canada is not recommending foot travel through the prairie dog colonies. Parks Canada also advises all visitors to use insect repellent on footwear and pants to further reduce the risk of encountering a flea. Parks Canada has closed all prairie dog colonies within the park to domestic pets to reduce the possibility of the spread of this disease. Safety precautions for visitors and area closure notices for domestic pets have been posted at the prairie dog colonies.



Parks Canada reminds the public not to touch any dead animal they may come across in the park. Instead, they should report the location of the animal carcass to the Grasslands National Park Visitor Centre or call 306-298-2257.