Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Black Footed Ferret is critically endangered across it's range.

Conata Basin /Badlands site: (click here) Black-footed ferrets were reintroduced into the Conata Basin/Badlands area of southwestern South Dakota in 1994-1999. Thirty-six ferrets were released in 1994. In 1995, there were at least two wild-born litters. Thirty-three more ferrets were released in 1995 and in 1996 there were as many seven as wild-born litters. Releases at this site indicated that “preconditioning” ferrets to the site prior to release resulted in higher success. As of 2000, this site had at least 200 ferrets and appeared to be the first established, self-sustaining wild population since reintroductions began. In 2005 245 ferrets were reported and because plague was confirmed in prairie dog colonies near the ferrets, a preventative treatment program was initiated.

In 2004, 93 ferrets were released onto the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. In 2005 42 survivors were counted and 15 new kits were observed later that year.