Scientists in Alberta are urging residents to be on the lookout for a rare rodent species. The elusive Franklin’s ground squirrel is the focus of a wildlife biologist’s research project, led by Jess Haines in collaboration with Nature Alberta. Haines mentioned that the project was initiated due to a decline noticed by local naturalists and the lack of ongoing research on the species.
The project’s goal is to demonstrate the decline in the population of Franklin’s ground squirrels, which are currently labeled as “undetermined” by the Alberta government due to insufficient data. Haines aims to gather enough data through the project to potentially reclassify the squirrel as an at-risk species. Unlike Richardson’s ground squirrels, which adapt well to human-modified environments like pastures, Franklin’s ground squirrels depend strictly on natural habitats with dense vegetation and forests.
Human activities such as land conversion for agriculture and urban expansion have played a direct role in the decline of Franklin’s ground squirrels, once commonly found in central Alberta and surrounding areas. Specific locations where these squirrels can still be sighted include Wabamun Lake Provincial Park and Pigeon Lake. Haines emphasized that the species, unlike other ground squirrels, naturally exists in small numbers and is vulnerable to disappearing from areas due to its low population density.
To support the research efforts, the public is encouraged to contribute observations of Franklin’s ground squirrels through the iNaturalist platform, enabling researchers to track historical and current distribution patterns. The project, which involves fieldwork to capture and release squirrels for data collection, has already received numerous submissions. The initiative does not have a fixed end date but periodically shifts focus to different aspects of squirrel ecology.
Myrna Pearman, from the Red Deer River Naturalists, expressed her affinity for the squirrels and highlighted the recent attention brought to their declining numbers. She has joined Haines in the field to document and photograph the squirrels, hoping to raise awareness and advocate for provincial protection measures. In Alberta, there are a total of 14 squirrel species, with five being ground squirrels. The Franklin’s ground squirrel stands out with its grey head and bushy tail, but currently, no squirrel species in Alberta are classified as at-risk.