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Ord's Kangaroo Rat

Protection

By: Felicity

Let's address the threats facing the Ord's Kangaroo Rat—habitat loss, climate change, and human disturbances. How does the national park protect the kangaroo rat from these threats?

Ord's Kangaroo Rat

The main point of the national park is to protect and maintain a natural environment that supports the Ord's Kangaroo Rat.

  • Milk river ridge's small population density reduces the amount of human activity in the area. This lack of nearby urbanization limits the chances of habitat encroachment, infrastructure development, and other disturbances that might threaten the kangaroo rat.
  • Adding onto that, Milk river ridge is relatively remote which is suitable for the kangaroo rat as it would be away from major urban centers and have limited road access.
  • The park is also distant from bodies of water, reducing the risk of flooding which could threaten the kangaroo rat's burrow systems.
  • Ord's Kangaroo Rat National Park could provide programs in order to educate visitors more about the species; specifically it's importance to the ecosystem and the threats it faces

  • small rodent
  • Brownish in colour with distinct white white markings on it's head, belly, and hips.
  • reduced front limbs but large hind legs and feet

Cont'd

  • In Canada, it's distribution is restricted to 12 active sand hill complexes in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.
  • It's small population (fewer than ;1,000 mature individuals in most years) varies unpredictably over short periods of time due to its high rates of overwinter mortality and summer reproduction.

Habitat Criteria

Threats

National Park

  • Loose sand or soil (to build their burrows)
  • Dry and arid climate (fewer rodents that compete with them for the same resources because they aren't suited for this type of dry climate)
  • Open grassland (They do not need moist, fresh vegetation, but rather just dried, sparse food like grains. It allows them to spot predators easily and forage for food.)
  • Unpopulated (Urban areas are often loud and noisy. They are primarily nocturnal making them very sensitive to disturbances that interfere with their regular activities.)
  • Milk River Ridge (Town in southern saskatchewan)
  • This area aligns perfectly with the needs of the kangaroo rat

  • One of the primary challenges for the Ord's Kangaroo Rat is habitat loss and fragmentation.
  • Human activities, such as agricultural expansion, urban development, and infrastructure can lead to the destruction of the grasslands and sandy plains that the kangaroo rat relies on for its burrows, shelter, and foraging.
  • Climate change poses a significant threat to the Ord's Kangaroo Rat. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect the availability of food resources and cause extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts or floods.
  • Human disturbances, including recreational activities and off-road vehicle can disrupt the natural behavior and habitat of the Ord's Kangaroo Rat.
  • Noise, and direct interaction with humans can induce stress and impact the species' overall health and reproductive success.

Location

Conclusion

  • The national park is a great asset for the Ord's kangaroo rat.
  • It reduces habitat distruction and protects it from human distrubances.
  • It will allow the kangaroo rat to be surrounded by it's ideal climate and vegetation, and will provide it with everything it needs in order to thrive.
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