Pet-Net RT Category 5, Topic 8 Message 183 Fri Nov 22, 1991 DEFFBAM.MINN [R.S.Sellers] at 00:18 EST Response to Nancy Hartman: as of earlier this year when we wrote them, the New Zealand government is modifying it's statement to saying that the Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) which were released were a dismal failure. However a later experiment in which the European Polecat (Mustela putorius) was released was a success and they did establish themselves. Any remaining animals would be either European Polecats or Ferret/Polecat hybrids. Point of reference: Domestic Ferrets are not "domesticated" they are "domestic" there is an important difference between the two terms. A 3rd or 4th generation wolf raised in captivity is a domesticated wild animal. A breed such as the Domestic Ferret which is man-made and does not exist in the wild is a domestic animal. [Oh, they were *intentionally* introduced. That certainly doesn't sound like a strike *against* ferrets, but rather one *for*. Though, since it didn't work, then it's one more data point on the nonsense about released ferrets in North America. Why were they experimenting with this? Rat control?] Regarding the legality of ferrets in Michigan. At present they are still banned. However legislation legalizing them just passed the Michigan House of Representatives due to the combined efforts of ferret groups nationwide working to help the Michigan folks. The law will hopefully do as well in the Senate and then we will have another ferret-legal state (possibly as early as February). Sorry about my running off at the mouth. [You weren't, so why're you sorry. I'm the one who usually does that...] -Randy [Posted in FML 0198]