As a team leader for an endangered species program, I supervised up to 8
Wildlife Technicians and temporary wildlife staff while employed by the
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. I conducted black-footed ferret (BFF) field
surveys, and monitored ferrets via all-night spotlighting surveys, using a GPS
to record ferret locations. Ferrets were live-trapped if they didn’t produce a
microchip reading during spotlighting surveys. Unidentified ferret captures
were brought to the study camper, immobilized, and inserted with microchip
implantations. I took part in a wildlife anesthetizing training in Sybille,
Wyoming (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit PRT-704930, sub-permit SP00-
27.00 for handling black-footed ferrets was received however renewal was
necessary in 2004). I organized a BFF release for a new site on the Reservation,
arranged the release ceremony to be conducted by a local Holy Man, and
invited guests to a luncheon and observation of ferrets being released into the
wild. Participation in a site visit to the National Black-footed Ferret
Conservation facility while under construction in Colorado; attendance at BFF
committee meetings in South Dakota, Arizona and Colorado; and attendance at
a BFF informational meeting on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation to offer
advice about a BFF project on their Reservation, was also accomplished.
I implemented black-tailed prairie dog field surveys; used a GPS to record
prairie dog town locations; conducted prairie dog density surveys and live-
trapped prairie dogs for quarantine. Captured prairie dogs were cared for and
held in quarantine for 14 days prior to processing. After quarantine prairie
dogs were euthanized, processed, veterinarian inspected, and carcasses
shipped to a captive BFF breeding facility as food.
Predator control surveys on prairie dog towns within BFF management areas
was performed; I collected blood samples from coyotes harvested during aerial
gun control for disease testing purposes (tested for canine distemper and
tularemia); and accompanied coyote hunters during an aerial search via
airplane for coyotes on a rolling prairie landscape. Data was entered using
Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and I prepared various reports. Miscellaneous
office duties and literature review were also accomplished.
I took part in numerous tribal buffalo roundups (pickups and ATV’s used)
with the Buffalo Program; assisted with sorting and loading at the buffalo
corrals; euthanized injured bison using rifles. Site visits to bison
slaughterhouses in both North and South Dakota were accomplished (when
tribal animals were being delivered). And I witnessed processing at the tribally
owned slaughter unit. Other bison-related duties included: volunteering at an
annual Fair & Powwow for the Buffalo Programs concession stand; assistance
with a buffalo dinner at local Elderly Nutrition Center; attendance at bison-
related meetings (Brucellosis Symposium in Jackson, WY; USDA Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Points training in Eagle Butte, SD; local Interim Board
of Directors meetings and so forth).
When time permitted I also assisted tribal Fish & Game with deer spotlight
surveys; presented a buffalo box educational project to local community
schools and tourism groups; provided wild horse and bison tours; also
photographed tribal wildlife for website and tourism brochures.
Wildlife Technicians and temporary wildlife staff while employed by the
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. I conducted black-footed ferret (BFF) field
surveys, and monitored ferrets via all-night spotlighting surveys, using a GPS
to record ferret locations. Ferrets were live-trapped if they didn’t produce a
microchip reading during spotlighting surveys. Unidentified ferret captures
were brought to the study camper, immobilized, and inserted with microchip
implantations. I took part in a wildlife anesthetizing training in Sybille,
Wyoming (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit PRT-704930, sub-permit SP00-
27.00 for handling black-footed ferrets was received however renewal was
necessary in 2004). I organized a BFF release for a new site on the Reservation,
arranged the release ceremony to be conducted by a local Holy Man, and
invited guests to a luncheon and observation of ferrets being released into the
wild. Participation in a site visit to the National Black-footed Ferret
Conservation facility while under construction in Colorado; attendance at BFF
committee meetings in South Dakota, Arizona and Colorado; and attendance at
a BFF informational meeting on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation to offer
advice about a BFF project on their Reservation, was also accomplished.
I implemented black-tailed prairie dog field surveys; used a GPS to record
prairie dog town locations; conducted prairie dog density surveys and live-
trapped prairie dogs for quarantine. Captured prairie dogs were cared for and
held in quarantine for 14 days prior to processing. After quarantine prairie
dogs were euthanized, processed, veterinarian inspected, and carcasses
shipped to a captive BFF breeding facility as food.
Predator control surveys on prairie dog towns within BFF management areas
was performed; I collected blood samples from coyotes harvested during aerial
gun control for disease testing purposes (tested for canine distemper and
tularemia); and accompanied coyote hunters during an aerial search via
airplane for coyotes on a rolling prairie landscape. Data was entered using
Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and I prepared various reports. Miscellaneous
office duties and literature review were also accomplished.
I took part in numerous tribal buffalo roundups (pickups and ATV’s used)
with the Buffalo Program; assisted with sorting and loading at the buffalo
corrals; euthanized injured bison using rifles. Site visits to bison
slaughterhouses in both North and South Dakota were accomplished (when
tribal animals were being delivered). And I witnessed processing at the tribally
owned slaughter unit. Other bison-related duties included: volunteering at an
annual Fair & Powwow for the Buffalo Programs concession stand; assistance
with a buffalo dinner at local Elderly Nutrition Center; attendance at bison-
related meetings (Brucellosis Symposium in Jackson, WY; USDA Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Points training in Eagle Butte, SD; local Interim Board
of Directors meetings and so forth).
When time permitted I also assisted tribal Fish & Game with deer spotlight
surveys; presented a buffalo box educational project to local community
schools and tourism groups; provided wild horse and bison tours; also
photographed tribal wildlife for website and tourism brochures.
| Wildlife Field Biologist Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Prairie Management Program, South Dakota (June 2002 to July 2003) |
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