The fox, a natural predator for the endangered prairie dog, is having an easier time of hunting and killing prairie dogs.  The improved bagged rate is due, surprisingly, to closer than usual contact with human beings. Normally prairie dogs live in groups, and will post a sentinel to watch for predators. However, because of the incursion of humans into prairie dog habitat, over time the prairie dogs have become used to the nearness of the humans, and consequently have become complacent in warning their comrades to seek cover. 

What have the prairie dogs been doing with all their new-found time on their paws? According to John Hoogland of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science in Cambridge, "The males [prairie dogs] were so obsessed with sex they couldn't watch for predators." Hoogland is concerned that the sex obsession will further deplete already declining prairie dog populations.

At least they'll die happy.