These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the effectiveness of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available pairs at each location. Baits containing Rhodamine B, a biomarker, were distributed at each plot. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators captured, marked, and sampled prairie dogs. Hair and whisker samples were collected from up to 50 unique prairie dogs from each plot each year. Sex, age, weight, and the identity of all current-year and prior-year recaptures were recorded for each captured animal. In the laboratory, hair/whiskers were assessed for the presence of Rhodamine B which fluoresces under UV light. The presence of RB fluorescence indicated bait consumption.

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators captured, marked and sampled prairie dogs for a minimum of 3 trap days. Both plots in a pair were trapped on the same day, and trap effort (number of traps and trap days) between plots of the same pair was similar with few exceptions. Fleas were collected from up to 50 unique prairie dogs from each plot each year. Sex, age, weight, and foot length were recorded for each captured animal. In the laboratory, fleas were identified to species and then pooled by species and sex. Flea pools were tested for the presence of Yersinia pestis using standard or real time PCR. Environmental factors describing temperature and precipitation were obtained from USGS and NOAA databases for each plot at the time of sampling.

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine (see Rocke et al., 2017 for details). Vaccine and control plots were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. At least 1 week and no more than 2 months post-baiting each year, local collaborators captured, marked and sampled prairie dogs for a minimum of 3 trap days. Both plots in a pair were trapped on the same day, and trap effort (number of traps and trap days) between plots of the same pair was similar with few exceptions. Fleas were collected from up to 50 unique prairie dogs from each plot each year. Sex, age, weight, and foot length were recorded for each captured animal. In the laboratory, fleas were identified to species and then pooled by species and sex. Flea pools were tested for the presence of Yersinia pestis using standard or real time PCR. Environmental factors describing temperature and precipitation were obtained from USGS and NOAA databases for each plot at the time of sampling.

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine. Treatment and control sites were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. Site pairs were a minimum of 20 acres, (with a few exceptions). Prairie dog trapping took place a minimum of two weeks post-baiting and trapping procedures were approved by the NWHC Animal Care and Use Committee as well as individual states as required.

These data were collected as part of a field trial to test the efficacy of a sylvatic plague vaccine. Treatment and control sites were selected randomly from the available sites at each location. Site pairs were a minimum of 20 acres, (with a few exceptions). Prairie dog trapping took place a minimum of two weeks post-baiting and trapping procedures were approved by the NWHC Animal Care and Use Committee as well as individual states as required.

Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits, each containing Rhodamine B dye biomarker, were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data. Capture locations were recorded using global positioning systems. Hair and whisker samples were pulled from each prairie dog to assess bait uptake (i.e. consumption) using a florescent microscope to inspect the samples for Rhodamine B florescence. The first data set (CMR_MOVEMENT_DATA.csv) lists distances (meters) between capture locations from a single prairie dog within a given year, with the data limited to prairie dogs with 2 or more capture locations (one distance measurement per pair of 2 locations per year). The second data set (CMR_BAIT_UPTAKE.csv) lists bait uptake outcomes for individual prairie dogs each year. Funding was provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, multiple USGS sources, grants from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and World Wildlife Fund.

Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits, each containing Rhodamine B dye biomarker, were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data. Capture locations were recorded using global positioning systems. Hair and whisker samples were pulled from each prairie dog to assess bait uptake (i.e. consumption) using a florescent microscope to inspect the samples for Rhodamine B florescence. The first data set (CMR_MOVEMENT_DATA.csv) lists distances (meters) between capture locations from a single prairie dog within a given year, with the data limited to prairie dogs with 2 or more capture locations (one distance measurement per pair of 2 locations per year). The second data set (CMR_BAIT_UPTAKE.csv) lists bait uptake outcomes for individual prairie dogs each year. Funding was provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, multiple USGS sources, grants from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and World Wildlife Fund.

We live-trapped black-tailed prairie dogs on Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2020-2021. We anesthetized trapped animals (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. The total flea count from an individual prairie dog was considered an index of flea abundance. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Data were collected on sites treated with fipronil "FipBit" bait pellets for systemic flea control with prairie dogs. Sites were treated with FipBits containing 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit. The FipBits were applied along transects at a rate of 125/hectare. Data were collected 12 July–2 September 2020 (assessing flea abundance before treatments), 9-23 September 2020 (evaluating flea control over ~1 month) and June–July 2021 (evaluating flea control over 9-10 months). The data set (South Dakota FipBits Fleas 2020-2021.csv) includes data from captures of individual prairie dogs and lists treatment (TREATMENT = 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit), flea abundance (FLEAS), and period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments], AFTER1 [~1 month post-treatment], and AFTER910 [~9-10 months post-treatment). Funding and logistical support were provided by the US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; National Park Service; US Forest Service; and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

We live-trapped black-tailed prairie dogs on Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2020-2021. We anesthetized trapped animals (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. The total flea count from an individual prairie dog was considered an index of flea abundance. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Data were collected on sites treated with fipronil "FipBit" bait pellets for systemic flea control with prairie dogs. Sites were treated with FipBits containing 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit. The FipBits were applied along transects at a rate of 125/hectare. Data were collected 12 July–2 September 2020 (assessing flea abundance before treatments), 9-23 September 2020 (evaluating flea control over ~1 month) and June–July 2021 (evaluating flea control over 9-10 months). The data set (South Dakota FipBits Fleas 2020-2021.csv) includes data from captures of individual prairie dogs and lists treatment (TREATMENT = 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit), flea abundance (FLEAS), and period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments], AFTER1 [~1 month post-treatment], and AFTER910 [~9-10 months post-treatment). Funding and logistical support were provided by the US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; National Park Service; US Forest Service; and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The data were collected to determine the density and abundance of prairie dogs in relation to treatment with vaccine or placebo baits and the occurrence of plague.