Another article about the black-tailed prairie dog appeared in the October
22 San Francisco Chronicle.  It is important to note that at this stage the
petition from the National Wildlife Federation is being considered and the
entire process of deciding whether to list the black-tailed prairie dog as
endangered or threatened could take years.  I don't have my notes from a
conversation with Pete Gober handy, but I recall that he mentioned that
there would need to be field studies, evaluation of data, and publication
and review of data if the decision from reviewing this petition is that
there is merit to the proposal.  The review of this petition is just the
beginning, and we can probably all expect a big fight from the ranchers.
 
According to US Fish and Wildlife Service reports, the BFF survives best
among populations of the black-tailed prairie dog.  Although there are
plenty of other species of prairie dogs living in the West, the
black-tailed's populations are severely decimated.  The last issue of The
American Ferret Report contained several pages of news about the prairie
dog, BFF (including where to find them on display in zoos and wildlife
parks), and endangered species act (and the Honey Badger, an interesting
mustelid found in Africa and thereabouts).  Copies may still be available
through the AFA office for $2.95.  Call Jim Scott at 1-888-Ferret1 or
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
 
Did you know that some of the reintroduced populations of BFF in the wild
are considered "nonessential experimental" populations and do not receive
the full protection of the Endangered Species Act?  We're talking about
the rarest mammal in the United States.  Keep on top of your congressional
representatives folks.  Don't assume that just because the ESA is in place
that everything is going to be okay.
 
Lori Barber
Managing Editor
The American Ferret Report
www.ferret.org
E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2627]