Introduction

In 1920 there may have been half a million black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes) in the wild [1], ranging from southern Alberta to northwestern Texas (Figure 1). By the 1970s it was thought to be extinct, until a single population was rediscovered near Meeteetsee, Wyoming.¹ It's rediscovery prompted a large effort to bring about its recovery.

Figure 1: Distribution of black-footed ferret in North America (from [5]).