BFF Press Release, 6/13/95 Attention: All National Media Re: Release of adult, cage-reared, older black-footed ferrets into the wild. RECAP: In February, 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) implemented a plan to release 55 adult, endangered black-footed ferrets on prarie dog habitat in the Badlands National Park, South Dakota. 27 ferrets, culled from four U.S. zoo captive breeding facilities, were sent to Pueblo, CO, to be acclimated to outdoor survival at the National Biologic Service Pre-release Conditioning Research Facility. 28 comparable ferrets were culled from the Sybille, WY, captive breeding facility and placed outdoors as well. At Pueblo, after three days outdoors, ferrets began to fall ill, or to suffer injury from live prarie dogs placed in the enclosures to encourage ferret predation. A ferret died at Sybille when same-sex animals were deliberately placed in common enclosures. Pueblo ferrets, anesthetized for treatment, were found to have arrived with severe physical disabilities - broken, blunted, missing teeth; a malignant tumor; umbilical hernia; chronic, contagious disease; and partial blindness. In addition, most exhibited extreme tameness, a factor bound to compromise their ability to survive in the wild. Contrary to USFWS standard protocol, medical records were withheld from the staff. Three ferrets died at Pueblo, one when removed from critical care to a distant facility in the process of dismissing a dissident medical staff member who objected to the release of older, debilitated ferrets. A second staff member resigned in protest. In light of the information revealed at Pueblo, a group of independent citizens and wildlife professionals proposed a privately-funded, continuing care facility (the Black-footed Ferret Living Care Center) as an alternative to release of older, adult ferrets. The group predicted high, if not total, annihilation of such ferrets. Only 400 black-footed ferrets are in existence. The USFWS rejected the proposal and proceeded with the release, despite a nationwide protest. RELEASES: Ignoring public outrage, the USFWS shipped 14 pregnant female black-footed ferrets to South Dakota in mid-April. 12 were released in Badlands National Park; 2 were excluded for health reasons. They were not radio-collared, so their survival was not documented. As of June 13, none have been confirmed alive by spotlighting technique. On June 5, 14 more adult ferrets were radio-collared and released in the park. By the following night, one was dead by coyote predation. By June 13, 11 more were reported dead due to the same cause. 2 animals were unaccounted for, although one collar was detected in a prarie dog burrow and another collar was stationary, indicating either a dead animal or a lost collar. The experiment was terminated. A second release, scheduled for June 19, was canceled. UPDATE: Representatives of the BFF Living Care Center proposal are calling for an all-out examination of the USFWS policies in regard to the management of endangered species, in particular the black-footed ferret. They are urging the formation of an independent ethical review board consisting of biologists, veterinarians and national wildlife protection organizations to represent the interests of the animals under the jurisdiction of the USFWS and are encouraging an extensive revamping of the black-footed ferret captive breeding and reintroduction program. A more extensive care facility proposal is underway which will encompass a wide scope of scientific studies for the benefit of the effort to reintroduce the black-footed fetter to the American landscape. All parties are thoroughly committed to the captive breeding, pre-release conditioning, and reintroduction effort, but emphasize the need to protect the rights of the animals as individuals, rather than a commodity, and revamp the structure of the USFWS program as a whole. NOTE: Agencies and networks receiving this press release have previously been issued a package of background information regarding the USFW release of older, adult, black-footed ferrets. A videotape demonstrating the high degree of habituation, or tameness, of these animals was included. If you have not received a packet or wish further information, please contact the SOCIETY FOR THE CONVERSATION AND PROTECTION OF THE BLACK-FOOTED FERRET, at 719-391-2627; Carolyn R. Kinsey / Andrew Abate, co-chairman. [Posted in FML issue 1226]