Black-footed ferret project update

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BLACK-FOOTED FERRET
PROJECT UPDATE
October 1996
Black-footed ferrets began arriving in Arizona in
February 1996, after decades of absence. Arizona is
just the fourth location where this federally-listed
endangered species is being reintroduced to the wild.
The management goal for this project is to establish a
free-ranging, self-sustaining population of ferrets in the
Plains Grassland of the Aubrey Valley, which is within
their historic range in northern Arizona.
We are using a new release procedure to address two
problems encountered in previous ferret releases:
ferrets were dispersmg long distances; and excessive
mortality occurred post-release. We built ten I-acre
pre-conditioning pens, each divided into four cells, in
high-density prairie dog complexes in Aubrey Valley.
In theory, when the ferrets are released, they will be
better acclimated to the local environment and will
more readily establish home ranges near their pens.
We hope this will shorten their dispersal movements
and reduce potential mortality by predators because the
ferrets will spend less time above ground traveling.
Document BFFNEW5.096
Since February, Department personnel and volunteers have provided daily care for ferrets in the pens, using
procedures similar to those used at captive propagation facilities. Nest boxes are cleaned, the integrity of fences and
electrical shock wires is checked and maintained, individual animal behavior is observed, and food is provided.
Feeding ferrets has been a great challenge during this year of drought. Newly placed ferrets were started on a
ground meat mixture called "zoo ration." When prairie dogs emerged from their burrows in April, they were
incorporated into the ferret diet. However, the prolonged drought affected forage production in Aubrey Valley,
which in tum redJ1l:ed both the size of prairie dog litters and individual body weight. Thus, with fewer and leaner
animals available, we began to capture more prairie dogs near Flagstaff to supplement captures in the Seligman area.
The pre-conditioning pens provide a setting where c~ptive-born ferrets can learn to hunt, kill, and feed on live
prairie dogs, which ir"~reases the probability that they will survive after release.
To date, 47 adult ferrets and 15 captive-born kits have been rJaced in pens. Most of them came from the Sybille
Captive Propagation facility in Wyoming. However, 4 adults and 8 kits are Arizona natives, born and raised within
the captive breeding program at The Phoenix Zoo.
With almost one season completed, we now know more about threats the ferrets will face after release. We have
recovered eight ferrets that died while in captivity. Our protocol requires that all carcasses are immediately sent to
the University of Arizona for necropsy. Of the eight, four died from injuries sustained from raptors or rattlesnake
bites. Clearly, for the black-footed ferret, natural selection operates from both above and below ground.
Field personnel will intensively monitor the ferrets after release from the pens. To assist the monitoring effort, all
animals will be implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, prior to release. Some ferrets will also
be instrumented with radio collars designed to drop off the animals within 60 days. The National Biological Service
and Arizona Game and Fish will monitor ferret movements and survival during the post-release period, using radio­telemetry
triangulation and spot-light surveys. (over)
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You can help the black-footed ferret program, too. Many volunteers spent countless hours constructing pens.
Now we need help on the all-night spot-light surveys. The next spot-light surveys are scheduled for the nights of
November 13-16 and December 18-21. To sign up as a volunteer, please contact Mark Brennan, AGFD Nongame
Biologist, 5325 North Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, Arizona 86401, telephone 520/692-7700 ext 125.
Arizona Game andHsh began investigating the potential for black-footed ferret re-establishment in Arizona in 1983.
It has been a long journey to a final decision, but to see wild ferrets in the Aubrey Valley makes it well worth the
effort. We are especially pleased with the public participation in reaching this decision, and the inter-organizational
cooperation that has made this possible. Arizona Game and Fish and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have co­lead
responsibility for the project, but we work very closely with The Navajo Nation, The Phoenix Zoo, The
Hualapai Nation, the Arizona State Land Department, and the National Biological Service. Also, PIC Technologies,
a private company long interested in ferret conservation, has provided crucial funding and other support.
Copies of Technical Reports 33, 34, 79, and 99 pertaining to .this project are available from the Arizona Game and
Fish Department, Nongame Branch, 2221 West Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 (602 789-3499).
Black-footed Ferret Project
Nongame Branch
Arizona Game and Fish Department
2221 West Greenway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023-4399
Address Correction Requested
Documents Dept
AZ Dept of library and Archives
17DO WWashington St, Rm 242
Attn: Government Documents Div
Phoenix, AZ 85007
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The Black-footed Ferret Project Update is
published periodically by the Arizona Game
and Fish Department. If you want more
information or want to be put on the mailing
list to receive this newsletter, contact the
Black-footed Ferret Project, Nongame
Branch, Arizona Game and Fish
Department, 2221 West Greenway Road,
Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399.
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