Black-Footed Ferret

About Black-Footed Ferret

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are the only ferret species native to North America and have been classified as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since l967.

The loss of their prairie grassland habitat, the drastic reduction of prairie dog numbers (through both habitat loss and poisoning), and the effects of canine distemper and sylvatic plague (similar to bubonic plague) have all contributed to the near-extinction of the species during the 19th and 20th centuries. Even before their numbers declined, Black-footed Ferrets were rarely seen: they weren't officially recognized as a species by scientists until 1851, following publication of a book by naturalist John James Audubon and Rev. John Bachman. Even then, their existence was questioned since no other Black-footed Ferrets were reported for over twenty years.

In 1981, a very small population of about 130 animals was discovered near Meeteetse, Wyoming. Soon after discovery, the population began a rapid decline due to disease. By 1986, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department led a cooperative program to capture the 12 remaining animals (which would be added to an existing 6 already in captivity) and begin an intensive captive breeding program. At that time, the entire world population amounted to about 50 individuals in captivity.