The Black-footed Ferret was first listed as endangered in 1967 when just a handful of individuals were known to occur in the wild. Years of reintroduction efforts—and legions of dedicated conservationists and organizations—have reversed the species’ slide towards extinction. In 1996, Northern Arizona became just the fifth Black-footed Ferret reintroduction site in the United States. Since then, AZGFD has reintroduced several Black-footed Ferret populations, greatly improving the species’ long-term outlook.
Although this unique western species has been pulled back from the brink of extinction, reintroduction efforts require intense research and management. Some of these efforts are more traditional while others are new and a little more “outside the box.” Semi-annual spotlighting events help AZGFD estimate population size and track dispersal of individuals. These efforts are also used to capture and vaccinate the Black-footed Ferrets for plague and canine distemper, two deadly diseases that can severely affect ferret populations and setback reintroduction efforts.
Meanwhile, AZGFD has also begun researching various other methods and tools for detecting Black-footed Ferrets and collecting information to improve species management. Some of these new methods include using telemetry to understand ferret movement and behavior and employing scent dogs to identify active ferret burrows. Technologies like camera traps and drones with thermal imagery are also being used to better understand this species and improve management.
By the Numbers:
AZGFD currently manages two Black-footed Ferret populations and three reintroduction sites near Seligman, Arizona.
Between 2017 and 2019, 62 ferrets were collared and tracked using telemetry to better understand species’ survivability, predator interactions, and dispersal.
Starting in 2019, AZGFD has partnered with Working Dogs for Conservation, employing scent dogs as a new method for detecting Black-footed Ferrets in the wild.
In 2020, AZGFD began experimenting with drones and thermal imaging to detect the presence of ferrets.
Each year approximately 35 volunteers join AZGFD biologists in spotlighting efforts to survey for Black-footed Ferrets.