I found this in the Ferret article on Wikipedia: [
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret ]
"In 1877, New Zealand farmers demanded that ferrets be introduced into
New Zealand to control the rabbit population (which was also introduced
by humans). Five ferrets were introduced in 1879. In 1882-1883 thirty
two shipments of ferrets were made from London, England totaling 1217
animals. Only 678 landed, and 198 were sent from Melbourne, Australia.
On the voyage, the ferrets were mated with the European Polecat, creating
a number of hybrids that were capable of surviving in the wild. In 1884
and 1886 close to 4000 ferrets and ferret hybrids, 3099 weasels and 137
stoats were turned loose. [1] Concern was raised that these Mustelids
would eventually prey on indigenous wildlife once rabbit populations
dropped. This did in fact happen, as New Zealand bird species had
evolved free from mammalian predators.
There has been a good deal of controversy on what the descendants of
these released animals are, as ferret activists contend that these are
hybrids and that domesticated ferrets could not survive in the wild[2],
while others assert that there is little European Polecat lineage in
ferrets caught in New Zealand. [3] However, few argue that enough
research has been done to settle the matter.
Given that domesticated pet ferrets are always spayed or neutered at an
early age (6 to 8 weeks), descented, are kept indoors, and have not been
cross bred with any other Mustelids in centuries, it is highly unlikely
that domesticated pet ferrets could pose a risk to ecological balance.
Currently, pet cats cause a great deal more damage to bird populations
than pet ferrets.
Nonetheless, many areas around the world have banned pet ferrets due to
the difficulties of New Zealand."
So it seems that there are ferret hybrids who are most likely causing
this problem...but there still needs to be more research, I suppose.
Until there is, places like California will still continue to believe
in ridiculous myths.
[Posted in FML issue 5148]
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