This isn't directly tied to ferrets, and maybe it's not news to other
people, but it was news to me...
 
In an article in Saturday's Boston Globe, there was an article about skunks,
and it mentioned that recent DNA testing has removed skunks from the
mustelidae and into a family of their own, as yet not firmly named.  I just
thought that people trying to change harsh rabies laws would want to know
this, since from what I've read here, the relationship of ferrets to skunks
makes them suspect in the eyes of public health departments.  Now it appears
that there really is no relationship.  The article was written by a member
of the Globe staff, so I don't know how widely circulated it is.  The Globe
has a website, www.boston.com, that might give you some leads to finding the
article.  Also Tom French, with the Mass.  division of Fisheries and
Wildlife, was widely quoted and might be a good source of information.  hope
this information is helpful to somebody!
 
Regina
[Posted in FML issue 2029]