Bryce Canyon National Park plans first-ever celebration for threatened Utah prairie dog

Bryce Canyon to celebrate Utah prairie dog

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Utah — Southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park will honor the Utah prairie dog later this month.

Officials are planning the park’s first-ever Utah prairie dog celebration day on April 30.

The prairie dogs are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Bryce Canyon officials reintroduced them to the park between 1974 and 1988. Today, officials say there are around 200 in the park.

The April 30 event will include presentations on the prairie dogs, opportunities to watch them in their natural environment and activities for kids. Local schools are also being invited to participate in an art contest with a Utah prairie dog theme.

On the Net:

www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm