Hi, Thought I'd share this email I received yesterday from Dr. Howard, DVM, Ph.D., Theriogenologist, Department of Reproductive Sciences at the research facility: Hello, We are very excited about this new kit. It was produced by artificial insemination with frozen sperm (frozen over 10 yrs ago)! We are watching closely to see if this single kit is OK. We have had black-footed ferret raise one kit without problems. We had another kit born today (singleton also), so we have an option of cross-fostering if we need to. Thanks for your interest. Dr. JoGayle Howard Some background on Dr. Howard: Howard led the first-ever study to demonstrate the value of artificial insemination as a tool for helping recover and reintroduce an endangered species (the black-footed ferret) back to nature. She has produced more than 130 black-footed ferrets by artificial insemination from individuals that failed to reproduce. She also initiated a multi-disciplinary program to conduct a Biomedical Survey of Wild Black-Footed Ferrets to assess health, disease, reproduction, immunology, and genetics of reintroduced populations in the North American grasslands ecosystem. Howard is active in the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the IUCN-World Conservation Union, the Felid Taxon Advisory Group, and numerous Species Survival Plans of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. She holds adjunct appointments at the University of Maryland and George Mason University. Howard has more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and books. Tressie A. Dutchyn, PhD (c) Dalhousie University Research Project Coordinator Community Health & Epidemiology http://port.mcgill.ca/dutchyn.htm [Posted in FML 6010]