Ferret Update. Are you kidding me?

I mentioned the alleged ferret-sighting in my previous post and, out of curiosity, I looked into it. I was not prepared for what turned up. The noise of the CHEMT Main Editorial Office faded away as I read further. Here are the main points of the article:


The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is the only ferret species endemic to North America and has been classified as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since l967. Within the genus Mustela, ferrets belong to the subgenus Putorius, from which there are only three extant species: M. putorius, the European polecat; M. eversmanni, the Siberian, or steppe polecat; and M. nigripes, the black-footed ferret. The European polecat lives in open forests and meadows, and is thought to be the ancestor of the domestic ferret. The Siberian polecat looks nearly identical to the black-footed ferret and leads a similar life on open grasslands and semi desert regions across Russia, China and Siberia.


In 1981, a black-footed ferret was killed by a ranch dog in northwestern Wyoming. This event led to the dramatic discovery of a small group of about 130 ferrets near Meeteetse, Wyoming in 1984 and offered a ray of hope for the species. Research conducted on the Meeteetse ferrets provided important new information on the life history and behavior of this secretive mammal. Tragically, outbreaks of sylvatic plague and canine distemper nearly killed all of the Meeteetse population. The remaining 18 ferrets were taken into captivity between 1985 and 1987 in an effort to save the species. At that time, these last known ferrets were probably the rarest mammals on earth.

The captured ferrets from Meeteetse were taken to a captive breeding facility in Sybille Canyon, Wyoming (now known as the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center). In 1987, a captive-breeding program was initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. This program has since expanded to include 6 captive breeding facilities in zoos across North America, including the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center, Front Royal, VA; Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE; Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, CO; Louisville Zoological Gardens, Louisville, KY; the Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ; and the Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Since 1991, federal and state agencies, in cooperation with private landowners, conservation groups, Native Americans, and the North American zoo community, have been actively reintroducing ferrets back into the wild. Beginning in Wyoming, reintroduction efforts have since expanded to sites in Montana, South Dakota, and Arizona. Proposed reintroduction sites have been identified in Colorado and Utah.

The Recovery Plan for the black-footed ferret calls for the establishment of 10 or more separate, self-sustaining wild populations. By the year 2010, biologists hope to have 1500 ferrets established in the wild, with no fewer than 30 breeding adults in each population. If these objectives are met, the ferret could be downlisted from endangered to threatened status.


Is it possible that this seemingly unimportant detail of our trip, is in fact a significant conservational discovery? Maybe the most significant thing that happened to us? Or to the area for that matter?

Consider that history remembers fondly the northwestern Wyoming ranch dog that discovered the ferret in 1981. Will Dave Mulholland and Trevor and Carter Flexhaug be similarly recognized for discovering another ferret - this time in the unique, environmental oasis of Cypress Hills, munching on some Doritos that the Rauschs left out over night?

Dave, Trevor, and Carter: Take a good look at these photos. Is this what you saw?
If so, someone should probably notify someone.

The rarest mammal on Earth in 1981. This is huge.

Next year, I suggest we camp at Loch Ness - because FLMRR obviously gets stuff done.





- C