Scientists are urging residents of Alberta to be on the lookout for a rare rodent species. The Franklin’s ground squirrel, a creature that has eluded many, is the focal point of a research initiative led by wildlife biologist Jess Haines in collaboration with Nature Alberta. This project originated from observations by local naturalists who noticed a decline in the squirrel’s population and recognized the lack of ongoing research efforts.
The primary objective of the project is to demonstrate the decline in the Franklin’s ground squirrel population, which is currently classified as “undetermined” by the Alberta government due to insufficient data. According to Haines, the process to alter this status can be challenging. The Franklin’s ground squirrel, distinct from Richardson’s ground squirrels, relies solely on natural habitats with dense vegetation and forested regions, unlike gophers that thrive in human-altered landscapes such as pastures and golf courses.
Human activities like land conversion for agriculture and urban development have directly contributed to the diminishing numbers of the once widespread Franklin’s ground squirrels. Previously abundant in central Alberta and beyond, the squirrels are now confined to a few remaining populations, raising concerns about potential extinctions in the near future. Locations where the 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.
Compared to other ground squirrel species that live in large, visible colonies, Franklin’s ground squirrels naturally exist in small numbers and low densities, making them susceptible to local disappearances. To aid in their research efforts, Haines and her team, including students, actively search for Franklin’s ground squirrels in the wild, capturing them briefly for data collection purposes before releasing them back into their natural habitat.
The project also calls for public assistance in documenting historical and current squirrel sightings through the iNaturalist platform. By submitting observations, researchers can map the historical distribution and current presence of the species in Alberta. With no defined end date for the project, the focus shifts periodically, with the current emphasis on understanding the squirrel’s diet and habitat.
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, which had gone unnoticed until recent declines were noted. The Franklin’s ground squirrel is one of five ground squirrel species among the 14 squirrel species in Alberta, recognizable by its grey head and long bushy tail. At present, no squirrel species in Alberta are considered at-risk.
