This is informational and posted for those interested in the BFF release
program
[Moderator's note: I have another post from Hal which I'm holding for a
lighter day since it's very long and I think somewhat off-topic.  If you
are very interested in the BFF issue perhaps you can request an advance
copy from him?  BIG]
 
Subj:   BFF
Date:   95-06-20 16:47:41 EDT
From:   Hal, Jesssica, & Justine
 
To:     Steve at the National Park Service the Badlands
 
It was a pleasure meeting and talking with you several weeks ago regarding
the BFF.  Since then we have spent many days at Sybille, the Shirley Basin
and have met many people in the BFF release program as well as having met a
few BFF's as well.
 
I have found a lot of the release program to be very well thought out and
well planned.  With one exception, the South Dakota hard release policy for
the BFF 4 to 5 year olds, or for that matter any age group I fail to
understand.   Although this may not be your area, the release does occur in
your park.  If not you, who would be the person I contact to discuss
recommending the Wyoming soft release program be used to give the ferrets a
slightly better chance at survival.
 
As you may know the soft release program starts with an environmentally
placed cage for a period of time which later exposes the ferrets to a way to
slowly adjust to and adapt and then enter the eco system, as well as
reasonable place to hide from predators.  The use of limited predator control
also seems to be a way to give the BFF's an adapting period and a better
chance at first year survival.
 
Any thoughts on this???
 
Hal, Jessica, & Justine
Non paid working Volunteers of the Greater Chicago Ferret Association
[Posted in FML issue 1231]