Scientists are seeking help from Albertans to spot a rare rodent known as the Franklin’s ground squirrel. This elusive creature is the focus of a research initiative spearheaded by wildlife biologist Jess Haines in collaboration with Nature Alberta. The project was initiated after local naturalists observed a decline in the squirrel’s population and realized that no conservation efforts were in place.
The primary goal of the project is to gather evidence demonstrating the decline in the Franklin’s ground squirrel population. Currently labeled as “undetermined” by the Alberta government due to insufficient data, the project aims to change its status to “at-risk” by accumulating sufficient population trend data.
Unlike Richardson’s ground squirrels, which thrive in human-altered landscapes such as pastures and golf courses, Franklin’s ground squirrels necessitate natural habitats with dense vegetation and forested areas. The conversion of these lands for agricultural and urban purposes has directly contributed to the decline of the once widespread squirrel population, restricting them to a few remaining locations.
Noteworthy sites where Franklin’s ground squirrels can still be found include Wabamun Lake Provincial Park, Pigeon Lake, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, Rochon Sands Provincial Park, and Buffalo Lake. These squirrels naturally exist in small numbers and low densities, making them more vulnerable to disappearing from an area due to their limited population.
To aid in their research, Haines and her team, often accompanied by students, dedicate significant time to locating and studying Franklin’s ground squirrels in their natural habitat. They capture the squirrels briefly for research purposes, collecting essential data before releasing them back into the wild.
Additionally, the project encourages public participation by submitting historical and current squirrel observations through the iNaturalist platform. This enables researchers to track the species’ historical and current distribution across the province. The project, which does not have a set end date, focuses on different aspects every few years, such as diet and habitat studies.
Myrna Pearman from the Red Deer River Naturalists, who has developed an affinity for Franklin’s ground squirrels, emphasizes the importance of protecting the species as their numbers dwindle. With distinct features like a grey head and long bushy tail, the Franklin’s ground squirrel stands out among the 14 squirrel species in Alberta, none of which are currently classified as at-risk.