What is the animal?
The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is part of the weasel family. These ferrets stand only six inches high and are 18 to 24 inches long, including their six inch tail. They can weigh one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half pounds and live for three to four years in the wild. They have a black mask over their eyes and have a grey/brown back and white belly. Prairie dogs comprise 90% of their diet and is a key to their survival.
What is its story?
Black-footed ferrets had not been seen in Arizona since the 1930s. In 1979, the last known black-footed ferret died, leading to the species being declared extinct. However, in the early 1980s, a small population of 130 ferrets was found in Wyoming. A few years after this group was found, sylvatic plague and canine distemper almost wiped it out. The 18 survivors were trapped and placed into a carefully designed breeding program to increase their numbers. By 1989, the population had risen to 120. The first releases occurred in 1991 in Wyoming. In 1996, Arizona joins the release program and develops a practice (soon to become standard) of using pre-release conditioning pens. The first Arizona release included thirty five ferrets and was the fourth reintroduction site in the United States. In 1998,
The teeth of the ferret is the tool that makes it a supreme hunter, despite the animal's overall small size .
452 black-footed ferrets are born and 210 are released across the country. After this year, there have been more ferrets in the wild than in captivity, an important milestone in any reintroduction program. Thanks to captive breeding programs at zoos and other facilities, more than 2600 ferrets have been bred for reintroduction. Their main threat today, comes from loss and lack of habitat that leads to diminished prey availability. Prairie dogs rely exclusively on unfragmented stretches of prairies, an increasingly uncommon site in the western US.
How does HPZS help?
HPZS staff and volunteers travel to the Arizona black-footed ferret release site to assist with ongoing research. Personnel locate and trap wild ferrets with a humane technique. After taking vital data, such as weight and length, an identification microchip is attached to the animals and they are released.
Why is it important?
Monitoring the animals is key to their survival. Data collected during this research is used to measure the size of the population growth, health of the animals, and determine future management practices and goals. Black-footed ferrets serve as a population control for prairie dogs and other animals that can severely damage farming and ranching land. They also ensure proper health of prey species by removing the weakest, often suffering from disease or other impairment.