Another article about the black-tailed prairie dog appeared in the October 22 San Francisco Chronicle. It is important to note that at this stage the petition from the National Wildlife Federation is being considered and the entire process of deciding whether to list the black-tailed prairie dog as endangered or threatened could take years. I don't have my notes from a conversation with Pete Gober handy, but I recall that he mentioned that there would need to be field studies, evaluation of data, and publication and review of data if the decision from reviewing this petition is that there is merit to the proposal. The review of this petition is just the beginning, and we can probably all expect a big fight from the ranchers. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service reports, the BFF survives best among populations of the black-tailed prairie dog. Although there are plenty of other species of prairie dogs living in the West, the black-tailed's populations are severely decimated. The last issue of The American Ferret Report contained several pages of news about the prairie dog, BFF (including where to find them on display in zoos and wildlife parks), and endangered species act (and the Honey Badger, an interesting mustelid found in Africa and thereabouts). Copies may still be available through the AFA office for $2.95. Call Jim Scott at 1-888-Ferret1 or e-mail: [log in to unmask] Did you know that some of the reintroduced populations of BFF in the wild are considered "nonessential experimental" populations and do not receive the full protection of the Endangered Species Act? We're talking about the rarest mammal in the United States. Keep on top of your congressional representatives folks. Don't assume that just because the ESA is in place that everything is going to be okay. Lori Barber Managing Editor The American Ferret Report www.ferret.org E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2627]