Pet-Net RT
Category 5,  Topic 8
Message 183       Fri Nov 22, 1991
DEFFBAM.MINN [R.S.Sellers]   at 00:18 EST

Response to Nancy Hartman:  as of earlier this year when we wrote
them, the New Zealand government is modifying it's statement to saying
that the Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) which were released
were a dismal failure.

However a later experiment in which the European Polecat (Mustela
putorius) was released was a success and they did establish
themselves.  Any remaining animals would be either European Polecats or
Ferret/Polecat hybrids.  Point of reference:  Domestic Ferrets are not
"domesticated" they are "domestic" there is an important difference
between the two terms.  A 3rd or 4th generation wolf raised in
captivity is a domesticated wild animal.  A breed such as the
Domestic Ferret which is man-made and does not exist in the wild is a
domestic animal.

[Oh, they were *intentionally* introduced.   That certainly doesn't
sound like a strike *against* ferrets, but rather one *for*.  Though,
since it didn't work, then it's one more data point on the nonsense
about released ferrets in North America.

Why were they experimenting with this?  Rat control?]

Regarding the legality of ferrets in Michigan.  At present they are
still banned.  However legislation legalizing them just passed the
Michigan House of Representatives due to the combined efforts of ferret
groups nationwide working to help the Michigan folks.  The law will
hopefully do as well in the Senate and then we will have another
ferret-legal state (possibly as early as February).

Sorry about my running off at the mouth.

[You weren't, so why're you sorry.  I'm the one who usually does that...]

-Randy

[Posted in FML 0198]