Prairie Dogs Vandalize Town’s Cemetery

MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – A prairie dog – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Hanna, officials say they are preparing to address the town’s destructive prairie dog population.

Last month, the governing body of Hanna voted to allow public works department employees and town marshals to shoot prairie dogs and other burrowing rodents with air rifles. The measure only permits employees to shoot the rodents on town-owned property.

At the April 8^th Hanna Town Council meeting, Mayor Charlie George explained the governing body is preparing to allocate funding for park improvements, including planting trees at Energy Park. Mayor George warned that prairie dogs and other burrowing pests could harm the newly planted trees and said town staff will eliminate the rodents responsibly.

The governing body also considered contacting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department about reintroducing foxes to town. According to Public Works Director Larry Korkow, a former Town Council voted to remove foxes from Hanna because they were eating residents’ outdoor pets.

The matter was discussed again during Tuesday’s Hanna Town Council meeting. Hanna Basin Museum Board member Sue Tlustos reported Museum Board President Pam Paulson discovered a burrowing animal infestation in the town’s graveyard. The animals were disturbing the buried remains. The animals apparently were digging up old bones.

Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales explained the holes were filled over the weekend during a community cleanup day at the cemetery. After the cleanup events are finished, Clerk Gonzales said the town will focus on trapping prairie dogs.

Treasurer Ann Calvert said the town will post notices in the area, advising dog owners to keep their pets away during the trapping.

Bigfoot99 reporter Matt Copeland asked the Town Council whether they were still pursuing a plan to reintroduce foxes. Mayor George replied they had not made any progress on the plan. Instead, the mayor reminded residents the public works and marshal’s departments were authorized to cull prairie dogs but had not yet started.

The Hanna Town Council reminded the public that only town employees are authorized to shoot prairie dogs within town limits.