BFF Information Release 6/4/95
Black Footed Ferret Release update:
To all the many people working very hard to prevent the killing of the
elder BFF's:
 
Distributed and authored by Gary Holowicki, [log in to unmask]
 
        Hello to all you wonderfully caring people!
 
        Well, WE ARE making progress folks!  According to the Chief of
Resource Management at Badlands National Park, Bruce Bessken, they still
plan to release some 15 or less BFF's tomorrow, the 5th.  Another 15, or
so, to total 35, or less, will be released on June 19th.  This is their
current plans.  I asked Bruce how many had to die before they stop the
15th. release, and he didn't know.  I think he is not making the decisions,
just the poor soul at the end of the line carrying out the orders.
 
        I also talked to Bruce Blanchard, Mollie Beattie's assistant in
Washington, and asked him directly if he had the authority to stop the
release.  He said yes, but he would not do so.  I even took the stance that
since we are going to approach corporations further for funding for the
LCC, that as we get more funds than we need, we would be willing to help
support their efforts with the whole captive breeding program, financially.
He said that I should talk to Morgenwerk.  "That's his domain.  I only
administer the money allocated to him, and if he has enterprenual skills to
form a partnership with private parties, that's his business.
        He did volunteer, not once, but three times, that he was waiting
for the protocol for selection for release candidates that Morgenwerk is /
was supposed to send him..  He seemed to be upset that this document was
not yet in his hands.
        Carolyn expressed that we have made definite progress, in her
opinion, that they are now reconsidering the Living Care Center proposal!
Even Blanchard admitted that they really don't know what to do with the
ferrets disqualified from release.
       Carolyn had a meeting at 1pm, Friday, with Morgenwerk.  He was not
there.  A committee met with her, with Morgenwerk's assistant Terry Terrill,
Pete Gober, American Zoological representative , the special agent Mowad who
was investigating Sebrina's death, and a couple of others.  Pete was the
only receptive person, but it was obvious he was not making the decisions,
she said.
 
        So in short, we have not yet won the war, but there is some
retrenching going on, some victory in really saving lives, and a new
opening to possible negotiated peace in the future.  I understand that
there are plans afoot to seek enough corporate sponsorship to not only run
the Living Care Center, but perhaps even contribute to the captive breeding
program, if "they" are receptive enough in the future.
 
        Carolyn says, that they have opened the door for elaboration of the
LCC proposal.  She will ask for assurances' that the detailed proposal for
the LCC will receive serious consideration.  Obtaining a permit to operate
the center is the long term solution to stopping the release of aging, and
debilitated ferrets.
 
        The American Ferret Association has even hand delivered a letter of
appeal from their organization representing many professionals, the Living
Care Center, and including 10 professionals from all fields  to VP Gore and
Secretary Babbitts' office's.
 
        We are getting closer to saving these elders, but we need to
continue, and even escalate our efforts our efforts as even if all the
elders released die the first day, they can claim "inconclusive data" and
release as many as they want / think they can get away with".  We need also
not assume the release tomorrow is certain, as it is scheduled to be done
Monday night!  SO KEEP IT UP, they still have a chance!
 
Gary Holowicki, &
Carolyn & Andy (the biologist from Pueblo), by phone
[Posted in FML issue 1217]