USGS Scientist Tonie Rocke
Detailed Description
USGS scientist Tonie Rocke is working to immunize populations of free-ranging prairie dogs against plague with an oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV). Here, she stands beside a prairie dog hole at the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming, holding a sample of the brightly colored, peanut butter flavored bait she developed.
If successful, the SPV could help protect endangered black-footed ferret populations in the western U.S. because the ferrets rely on prairie dogs for food.
The SPV project is a collaboration of over 30 organizations and agencies.
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.