Show f The Lemming syndrome Croydon Utah-Lost Utah Creek Reservoir was the site of ot an unusual happening a short time ago Thousands of Uinta ground squirrel apparently drowned themselves in the reservoir much like the migrations of ot that drown In the ocean According to the local Conservation Conservation Conservation Con Con- Officer John Pratt fishermen at the site reported seeing the squirrels go into the water and drown Division of oC Wildlife Resources and nd Research Biologist Robert Hobert investigated the circumstances and collected samples for Cor further study ItES RESULTS OF 01 the Investigation investigation in In- were forwarded to Dr David F F. F Balph a wildlife professor at Utah State University and a noted auth authority rity on ground squirrels Dr Balph indicated that the event was something he would not have predicted although squirrels can swim Without additional input he could not be certain of the causes behind the but proposed a combination of oC events that was probably responsible Squirrel population in the area arca was up causing greater than usual population density The animals were in the dispersal phase of ot their annual cycle meaning that the young were leaving the natal burrow and competing for tor burrows in which to live In addition squirrels are bothered by heat wl which ch may have added to the two other factors to create unusual circumstances Balph said that overheated squirrels might either move to the water wafer because they know it is cool or orthey orthey orthey they might move there simply following a temperature gradient Many of ot the squirrels appeared appeared appeared ap ap- ap- ap to to tobe be the smaller and immature animals wl which ch served to partially su substantiate Dr Balph's hypothesis The took place during a relatively long heat wave fa tn northeastern Utah |