Regarding the beginning of a Society for the Protection and Conservation of
the Black-footed Ferret
 
Even though it is composed of those persons with an interest in the ferret,
in particular, and wildlife advocates in general.
 
This is all very interesting,
but,
what exactly is their agenda????
 
My fear is that it is to interefere with the release program and create a
shelter for BFF that is much like the shelters we have today for the domestic
ferret.  Forgetting that these are not domestic animals and they have a place
in the range ecology that should not be ignored.  As cute as the BFF is, it
should not be domesticated which is what many hard core ferret advoates may
be accidently trying to do.
 
This ferret is wild and should be left in the wild.  The breading program is
meant to get the population back up with as little human contact as possible.
And yes, from time to time things are going to happen to those ferrets in
the wild when as a predator they take their place in the range food chain.
 
 
WE ARE THE REASON THIS POPULATION IS ALMOST EXTINCT, NOT NATURE, AND IF WE
LOVE THEM TO MUCH WE MIGHT JUST LOVE THEM INTO EXTINCTION.
 
There are some members in the ferret world who do not understand the ways
and needs of a breeding program for an endangered wild animal.  I agree that
some of their actions have not worked out as well as they were planned.  The
hard release of those ferrets in the Badlands was clearly a well thought out
mistake and very bad decision on some persons part.  However, the Wyoming
program is a well planned and implemented soft release program that is
working.
 
BY THE WAY, WHAT IS IT THAT THEY MEAN WHEN THEY SAY PROTECTION OF THE BFF???
Will they protect breeding pairs and breeding 3 year old and above adults
in captivity until they are extinct?   A geriatric center for non breeding
older ferrets is already in place at the Sybille breeding program.  However
these ferrets remain important for the introduction of new medical treatments
that could help save younger breeding ferrets.
 
Hal
I represent my own views on our ecology and the damage man has done to it is
much bigger than my love for ferrets of which I own and love 4.  I also work
as a volunteer at the Greater Chicago Ferret Asssociation which is a non
uthanizing ferret shelter.  I have spent a significant amount of time with
Dr. thorne at the Sybille BFF breeding program as well as Bob Luce who is
their field manager.
 
[Moderator's note: We went through some of this a while back.  If anyone
wishes to respond, please do so directly to Hal - debating the politics of
the BFF program (and ecology in general) is beyond the scope of this
list.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 1249]