[10] However, it was recorded that Utah prairie dogs existed as far north as Nephi, as far south as the pine fir forests of Bryce Canyon National Park, and Aquarius Plateau to the east in 1920, but the number declined from the 1920s to 1970s by 87%.

This reduction was thought to be a result of human settlers who caused overgrazing of soil, and thus catalyzed the invasion of shrub to the grass land.

[11][12][10][5][13] Agricultural properties often provide Utah prairie dogs with suitable habitats, but when populations get too dense, outbreaks of plagues become common (of which fleas are the typical vectors) and can demolish entire colonies.

[16] Eating green vegetation and forbs of high quality allows them to obtain large quantities of protein and energy, which is critical for activities such as lactation and hibernation.

However, approximately twenty percent of the litter may be eradicated due to males cannibalizing juvenile Utah prairie dogs.

Nevertheless, this atypical cycle is sustainable because on average, ninety-seven percent of adult females are in conditions conducive to breeding and thus produce litters.

[14] The primary predators of Utah prairie dogs include badgers (Taxidea taxis), many species of raptors (Aquila chrysaetos, Buteo spp.

[14] Utah prairie dogs act as a keystone species for their ecosystem – they are responsible for enhancing landscape heterogeneity, mitigating the height of local vegetation, mixing soil by burrowing (which in turn aids in the nitrogen uptake of plants), and altering the chemistry of the soil by making it more porous and allowing for precipitation and organic matter to penetrate the ground.

[21] Other factors that contributed to this drastic reduction include diseases, increased aridity, overgrazing of habitats and habitat loss, epizootic infections, cultivated agriculture, invasive plant species, climate change, poaching, the exploration and development of energy resources, off-highway vehicle recreation, fire management, and urban development.

Conservation efforts include encouraging landowners to improve the health of their rangelands, and compensating farmers who set aside areas the prairie dogs may use.

[24] Conservationists also recommend seeding as a method of rangeland restoration, prescribed burning of vegetation, control of noxious weeds, and general brush management to preserve Utah prairie dog habitats and food sources.

Some descriptions of such plans that have yet to be implemented include monitoring and developing a database for plague incidents, developing methods of natural disturbance responses (such as fire or drought), creating a volunteer-based stewardship program with the intention of educating and informing citizens, and establishing educational kiosks and Utah prairie dog viewing sites for the public.

Additional conservation plans that are ongoing include those in which private landowners who contractually agree to habitat management or restoration receive financial and market-based incentives, endowment funds for the management and administration of protected properties are established, vegetation treatment in tactical areas are implemented, and strategies to further funding for outreach programs are developed.