| Black-footed
Ferret |
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 The
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) has
been actively investigating the possibility
of re-establishing black-footed ferrets (Mustela
nigripes) in Arizona since 1985. After
evaluating eight Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys
gunnisoni) complexes across northern Arizona,
the Aubrey Valley was selected as the best
site for an initial reintroduction.
In September 1996, in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Navajo and Hualapai nations, Arizona State Land Department, and The Phoenix
Zoo released 35 black-footed ferrets and became the fourth reintroduction
site in the United States. It was the first project to develop and evaluate
on-site, acclimation pens for pre-conditioning of release candidates.
In 1998, Arizona became the first state to successfully breed ferrets in
pre-conditioning pens when 26 kits were produced (18 survived to release
age) (Winstead et al. 1999). Breeding protocols included use of cytological
samples taken from females to predict onset of estrus and confinement of
bred females in a buried nest box connected by an artificial tube to an
above ground cage. Project efforts in 1999 and 2000 continued to emphasize
on-site breeding (Winstead et al. 2000). Efforts shifted focus in 2001
toward better assessment of habitat use and survivorship of released ferrets. |
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| Program
Goal: |
| The primary
goal of the Arizona reintroduction effort
is to establish a free-ranging, self-sustaining
population of black-footed ferrets into the
Aubrey Valley Experimental Population Area
(AVEPA). To do this, our focus has been on
pre-conditioning release candidates and developing
on-site breeding protocols that will enhance
and contribute to the national recovery of
the black-footed ferret (USFWS 1988). A secondary
goal is to manage ferrets and their habitat
in a manner that will not negatively impact
the lifestyles and economy of local residents. |
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| Habitat: |
| Black-footed
ferrets require prairie dogs to survive.
So the habitat requirements for prairie dogs
are the same for ferrets. In Arizona, Gunnison's
prairie dogs mainly occur in Plains Grassland
and Great Basin Grassland north of the Mogollon
Plateau but south of the Colorado River (Brown
1994). The dominant vegetation in these biotic
communities is blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis),
mixed with galleta grass (Hilaria jamesii),
Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides)
and other grasses. |
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| Distribution: |
| The original
range of the black-footed ferret coincided
closely to that of its' primary prey the
prairie dog (Cynomys spp.). In Arizona, black-footed
ferrets were recorded within the range of
the Gunnison's prairie dog with the last
verified ferret being collected near Government
Prairie in November 1931. The decline of
the ferret is related to habitat destruction
caused by prairie dog control programs, which
were initiated at the turn of the century.
To date, no black-footed ferrets have been
recorded in Arizona since 1931. |
| |
| Status: |
The black-footed
ferret has been listed by the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) since March
11, 1967 when the first list was compiled
under the Endangered Species Conservation
Act of 1966. Eventually, this Act became
the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Reasons
for including the ferret on the endangered
species list relate to its apparent rarity
and the loss of habitat.
The reintroduced ferret population in Aubrey Valley has been designated
as nonessential experimental under Section 10j of the Endangered Species
Act. This designation means that for a given area the species is essentially
down listed to threatened. By designating a species as threatened, more
management flexibility is allowed then if the species was listed as endangered. |
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| Conservation
Needs: |
| To sustain
a population of ferrets, their habitat and
prey based must be maintained. This includes
managing prairie dog populations that are
sufficient in size to maintain a self-sustaining
population of ferrets. The grasslands dependent
upon by prairie dogs in Arizona are impacted
by woody invasion as a result of fire suppression,
urbanization, and periodic outbreaks of plague. |
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| Available
Publications: |
| Since reintroducing
ferret in 1996, an annual report has been
produced on the reintroduction activities.
These reports are available from the Department. |
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| Additional
information: |
Bill Van
Pelt, Nongame Mammals Program Manager
Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
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