We have just received the latest Black-footed Ferret newsletter from the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept... At the Wyoming installation every female was bred (26 naturally and 1 artificially). The breedings resulted in 21 litters with a total of 72 kits. Ten died shortly after birth along with 4 others to coccidiosis leaving 58 healthy kits. In addition 5 kits were produced at the National Zoological Parks Research Center in Virginia and 0 at the Henry Dooling Zoo in Omaha. The Wyoming people are breeding Siberian Polecats to accept foster babies (several of the real bbf females don't lactate). Probably the most important kit was born to Annie - a female of different genetic background than the others - using a polecat as a foster Status: OR Work is going on to teach the bbfs about the "real world." (I understand a National Geographic Special covered this a few weeks back --- it sounded pretty grim with radio controlled stuffed Badgers..) In addition site selection is being done for re-introduction in 92 or 93. If you are interested in the newsletter and/or giving to this cause contact: Wyoming Game and Fish Dept Cheyenne, WY 82006 Back to "real" ferrets.... Our three guys have been doing very well with a milk supplement. Our vet told us that the ferret digestive tract is so short that they can develop malnutrition event on high protein cat food. His recommended giving a bit of "Unilact" (a replacement bitch's milk supplement) daily. We've been at it for 3 months now and have noticed improvement in our nearly 5 year old female Fritter. Frit was developing bad toenails and translucent teeth along with an "old animal" look and feel. She now looks as good as she did two years ago and all of them seem to have quite a bit more energy (I don't know if that is a good thing -- certainly our houseplants, magazines, soap bars, etc. don't think it is allright). If you are interested in specifics the product name is "Unilact" by Upjohn. We've only been able to find it at Veterinarians and it isn't cheap at $10 for 12 oz. We dissolve 1 tbl in 6 or 7 tbl of cold water and spit it among Hjalmar, Frit and Meltdown. They love this better than *any* other food we have tried on them and it doesn't give them "white runs" like milk does. Does anyone have any good ferret stories these days? Things have been getting pretty quiet. Steve and Sukie Crandall att!mhgsp!evans [Posted in FML 0080]