Black-Footed Ferret

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Black-Footed Ferret

The black-footed ferret once thrived in the central United States – with a population in excess of ten-thousand. The black-footed ferret inhabited the great basin, ranging from Arizona to Montana, with semi-arid grasslands and mountain basins being their primary habitat. As human populations increased, the pressures exerted on the black-footed ferret resulted in significant population reduction. Deemed agricultural pests, black-footed ferret eradication programs were emplaced to exterminate these organisms. Eradication programs were so successful that in 1987 only eighteen ferrets existed in the world. However, conservation efforts have helped re-establish these mammals that were once thought to be extinct.

The extent of cropland in the United States is illustrated in one of the map layers provided. As can be noticed on the map, black-footed ferret populations coincide with agricultural lands. Partly the result of the destruction of habitat and the conversion to cropland, these animals faced a loss of adequate habitat and their numbers further suffered. As previously noted, the black-footed ferret was viewed as a pest and eradication programs were created to rid agriculture areas of this animal. However, this animal was not the only agriculture pest that was persecuted in the Great Plains. Prairie dogs also faced extermination efforts. As the primary prey for the black-footed ferret, the loss of prairie dogs provided more detriments to the ferret.  Furthermore, foreign diseases, affecting populations placed further stress on the black-footed ferret.

The black-footed ferret has been listed on the endangered species list since 1967. Despite the near extinction of the species, conservation efforts in recent years have improved the species’ outlook. Reintroduction of the species began in 1991; currently, all of the wild ferret populations consist of introduced animals. Recent estimates place the total number of wild breeding ferrets somewhere between five-hundred and one-thousand – a vast difference from only eighteen animals in 1987. Since 1991, there have been eighteen reintroduction efforts. Yet, only three of these have yielded self-sustaining populations. Despite the low number of self-sustaining populations, this current trend suggests the black-footed ferret may be removed from the endangered species in coming years.

 

Works Cited

"Endangered Species: Mountain-Prairie Region: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Endangered Species:   Mountain-Prairie Region: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

"Mustela Nigripes." (Black-footed Ferret). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.