According to a recent survey by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), the population of the lesser prairie-chicken is rising. Biologists estimate the population has reached about 29,000, a 25 percent increase from 2014.
The survey indicated increases in three of the four ecoregions the bird inhabits. The largest population gain came from the sand sage prairie region of southeastern Colorado, showing about a 75 percent increase between 2014 and 2015.
The lesser prairie-chicken was listed as threatened in 2014. Severe drought in 2012 had negative impacts on the bird, according to Drovers Cattle Network.