A sign for Prairie Dog Town, which is located near Oakley, Kansas.
Matt Slaby
Larry Haverfield on his ranch outside of Russell Springs, Kansas. Haverfield appreciates prairie dogs, recognizing that they help support other wildlife, such as the endangered black-footed ferret.
Matt Slaby
A black-tailed prairie dog peers up from its burrow at Prairie Dog Town, near Oakley, Kansas.
Matt Slaby
Kansas State University faculty and students, Fish and Wildlife Service employees, and volunteers prepare to locate and capture black-footed ferrets on the Haverfield ranch.
Matt Slaby
A ferret being vaccinated and tagged by a biologist at the Haverfield ranch in Kansas.
Matt Slaby
Ron Klataske of Audubon of Kansas helped get local ranchers involved in ferret recovery.
Matt Slaby
Prairie Dog Town, a tourist stop featuring the "world's largest prairie dog"—a 20-foot cement statue—ironically is located close to where officials are trying to eradicate the wild version.
Matt Slaby
Rancher Larry Haverfield and his wife, Bette, have been been fighting against the use of a chemical on their ranch that kills prairie dogs.
