>Science. 2007 Aug 10;317(5839):779. > > Rapid population growth of a critically endangered carnivore. > >Grenier MB, McDonald DB, Buskirk SW. >Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 >East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA. >[log in to unmask] > >Reintroductions of endangered species are controversial because of >high costs and frequent failures. However, the population of black- >footed ferrets descended from animals released in Shirley Basin, >Wyoming, from 1991 to 1994 has grown rapidly after a decline to a low >of five animals in 1997. Beginning around 2000, the population grew >rapidly to an estimated 223 (95% confidence interval is 192 to 401) >individuals in 2006. Matrix population modeling shows the importance >of survival and reproduction during the first year of life, reflecting >an uncommon life history for an endangered mammalian carnivore. >Recovery of the species may benefit from more opportunistic and >widespread releases. > >PMID: 17690288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html [Posted in FML 5714]