General Stuff The park is in a planning mode unlike any we have ever before experienced. This year, we are working to prepare plans for bison, elk, prairie dogs, cave and karst, vegetation, and wildfire management. We all have a lot of work to do, so roll up your sleeves and participate where you can Biological Sciences - Wildlife Management Park staff recently completed an intensive inventory to find and map all of the prairie dog colonies within the park. The acreage of active prairie dog colonies within the park is now up to 1855.
With each passing spring day, new species of birds are arriving in the park. All habitats within the park are showing increased activity. Some of the birds are wasting no time in getting a quick start to breeding. We have already confirmed nesting of Golden eagle, Prairie Falcon, Red-tailed hawk, and Mourning Dove. It won't be long before we see the first broods of Turkeys, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and ducks. Many other species will be close behind. Physical Sciences - Cave and Karst Management
The objectives of this project are to:
Natural Resources Preservation Program funding will provide two seasonal physical science technicians to survey the park this summer in search of caves and karst features. Where in the park is this prominent "Sentinel rock"? 
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Over 500 miles has been covered on foot in less than a year within
Wind Cave as we try to keep tabs on the health and comings and
goings of elk. Overall condition of adult elk has been good, with
some of the calves coming through the winter in less than fair
condition. Ear ticks are a contributing factor to the poor condition
of some of these animals. As the flush of new growth starts, all
elk should be making a good recovery. The annual shed of head gear
is complete. It is a thrill to find a large set like these. We
grow them big here in the park! The new growth of antler begins
almost immediately, and almost all bulls are showing three to eight
inches of velvet covered antler. The elk herds have broken up into
much smaller groups than we have been seeing all winter, with a
considerable number of the elk in the southwest corner now out
of the park until next fall. Calving will begin in late May and
will peak the first week of June.
Wind
Cave National Park contains 26 known caves and a variety of karst
features including blowholes, sinkholes, rock shelters, and sinking
streams. Wind Cave is the park's primary resource and historically
inventory, survey, and cave management efforts have been focused
upon it. The other caves and karst features have received sporadic
attention. Knowledge of caves and other features within the park
is vital to their protection, as well as the protection and management
of Wind Cave and the groundwater resources within the park. Many
of the caves contain paleontological and archeological resources,
with several providing habitat for bats such of Towsend's big-eared
bat and fringe-tailed myotis, US Fish and Wildlife Service species
of concern. Little is known about the other biological or physical
resources. The park contains large area that have never been investigated
for caves or karst features.