A recent study in the Journal of Animal Ecology shows that predators can help regulate wild ungulates in the desert. For example, mountain lions keep a wild donkey population in Death Valley out of precious wetlands. We speak to a biologist about potential lessons for southeastern Utah from this research. Plus, norovirus is a nasty stomach bug that’s usually associated with cruise ships and restaurants. Our partners report on an outbreak in the Grand Canyon. And conservation groups say more needs to be done to protect the natural and cultural resources of Utah’s Labyrinth Canyon from off-road vehicles. The Bureau of Land Management is taking comments until October 7th on a draft travel management plan for the area outside of Moab. And lastly, Moab City Council will meet this Tuesday. We have a preview of the council’s agenda from the Moab Sun News.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: This past spring Grand Canyon National Park became the site of an extended norovirus outbreak, with more than 200 cases of gastrointestinal illness among rafters and backpackers. (Laurel Morales, KJZZ)

// Journal of Animal Ecology: A novel trophic cascade between cougars and feral donkeys shapes desert wetlands

https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.13766

// New York Times: ​​Death Valley’s Invasive Donkeys Have Become Cat Food

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/15/science/donkeys-mountain-lions-death-valley.html

// Public News Service: Groups Urge BLM to Keep Off-Road Vehicles Out of Labyrinth Canyon

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2022-09-23/public-lands-wilderness/groups-urge-blm-to-keep-off-road-vehicles-out-of-labyrinth-canyon/a80754-1

// Lab/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan, YGP Harvest Festival – This Week in Moab

https://www.kzmu.org/lab-gemini-bridges-travel-management-plan-ygp-harvest-festival-this-week-in-moab/

// KUNC: Raft trips hit hard by the Grand Canyon’s largest recorded norovirus outbreak, CDC reports

https://www.kunc.org/2022-09-23/raft-trips-hit-hard-by-the-grand-canyons-largest-recorded-norovirus-outbreak-cdc-reports

// Moab Sun News

https://moabsunnews.com/

// Music: Independent Music Licensing Collective (IMLC) - Coast2Most