ABOUT THE ANIMAL: The black-footed ferret is one of the most endangered species in North America. It was actually thought to be extinct until rediscovered on a Wyoming ranch in 1981. There are currently about 370 in the wild. Native to the Great Plains, from southern Canada to northern New Mexico, black-footed ferrets are quite vocal and live mostly solitary lives. They are nocturnal and leave their burrows at night to hunt prairie dogs – their primary prey. 

ABOUT THE PROBLEM: The destruction of prairie dog towns, loss of habitat, and disease all contributed to the collapse of the black-footed ferret population. 

ABOUT THE SOLUTION: Black-footed ferrets are being raised in captive breeding centers for later reintroduction to the wild. Recent management tools have been put in place to protect reintroduced populations from deadly diseases, like distemper.