Pika

A new study in the Rocky Mountains has found a steep drop in the number of young American pikas — small, high-altitude mammals known for their distinctive squeaks and rock-pile homes. Researchers say the 50% decline could be an early sign of deeper ecological shifts as the climate warms.

The Colorado Sun co-founder and editor Larry Ryckman joined us to discuss an electric vehicle “cash for clunkers” program and how citizen scientists are helping save adorable wildlife.

Climate change is raising temperatures, changing weather patterns and causing droughts. It also impacts wildlife like the American pika by threatening its high mountain habitat in Colorado and other parts of the West, but a group of scientists and outdoor enthusiasts are trying to help.

Pikas are fluffy mammals that live at high altitudes across the West. They squeak when danger nears. The squeaky fluff-balls are considered indicators of…