A Review of Black-Footed Ferret Reintroduction in Northwest Colorado, 2001-2006

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers U.S. Department of the Interior

2008

Brian E. Holmes Bureau of Land Management

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usblmpub

Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons

Holmes, Brian E., "A Review of Black-Footed Ferret Reintroduction in Northwest Colorado, 2001-2006" (2008). U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers. 10. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usblmpub/10

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of the Interior at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 BLM/CO/GI-08/014 www.blm.gov/nstc/library/techno2.htm Available onlineat: Denver, CO 80225 P.O. Box 25047 Section Information andPublishing Services National Operations Center Bureau ofLand Management provided by: services Production Holmes, B.E. 2008.Areview ofblack-footed ferret reintroduction Colorado, innorthwest citation:Suggested Heather Sauls, BLM White River Field Office Photo onpage11by: Holmes,Brian BLM White River Field Office Cover photo andallotherphotos except asnoted by: Management, White River Field Office, Colorado. 43 pp. 2001–2006. Technical Note 426.U.S. oftheInterior, Department Bureau ofLand

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Bureau of Land Management of Land Bureau Office Field River White Street Market 220 East 81641 Colorado Meeker, Prepared by: Prepared Brian E. Holmes Biologist Wildlife A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 iii Beverly Rave Beverly Renner Lonnie Schnurr Pam Dale Skidmore Smith Stacey Winkler Scott Group Work Creek Wolf Wolfe Lisa Wygant Terry Bart Zwetzig Desa Ausmus Lisa Belmonte Bibles Brent Dean Biggins Gene Byrne Ranch Mountain Cross Grode Mike Hollowed Ed Lockhart Mike Pfister Al

many cases, elsewhere: cases, many the vision and laid the groundwork upon the vision and laid the groundwork has been based. work which all subsequent people or groups In addition, the following the recovery to greatly contributed have in and, in Colorado ferrets of black-footed from a variety of agencies and organizations. organizations. and agencies of variety a from of of the Bureau Albee Mike In particular, and Colorado, in Craig, Management Land Wildlife and Fish of the U.S. Bob Leachman had Service Junction, in Grand Colorado, THE REINTRODUCTION of black-footed THE REINTRODUCTION of black-footed has been made possible in Colorado ferrets individuals of many work the dedicated by ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 16 16 17 21 23 27 41 13 13 13 14 16 ...... Spotlighting Telemetry Radio Dogs Conservation for Working Snowtracking ...... Monitoring EffortsMonitoring Wild Reproduction in the Survival, and Movements Size, Population Release Data from the Wolf Creek Creek Wolf the from Release Data 2001–2006 Area, Management Cited Literature Results Discussion and Recommendations Prairie Dog A: Colony-Specific Appendix Sampling Summary the for Transect 2004–2006 Area, Management Creek Wolf Ferret B: SummaryAppendix of Black-Footed 1 2 3 5 5 6 8 ix iii vii 10 10 10 ......

...... Allocation and Preconditioning Allocation Releases ......

Disease and Monitoring Management Management Ferret Black-Footed Program History and Authorization Program Area Management Creek Wolf Description of the Dog and Monitoring Management Prairie Cooperating Agencies and Parties Agencies Cooperating

Methods Abstract Introduction Acknowledgments List of Illustrations CONTENTS A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 vii

Total spotlighting survey effort by year in the Wolf survey spotlighting effortyear in the by Total Wolf within the relocations ferret black-footed All Documented long-distance, intercolony dispersal long-distance,Documented intercolony blue represent ferrets relocated in the year they were they were in the year relocated ferrets blue represent in the wild survived least 30 days that at released release. following Creek Wolf within the ferrets by movements Area. Management a) An example of the 6-inch-diameter circular antenna antenna 6-inch-diameterthe of circular example An a) (PIT) transponder integrated of a hand-held passive b) In dog burrow. of a prairie the entrance over reader pouch and is in a storage the PIT reader this picture, source. V power a 12 connected to 2006. Bars represent 2002 to Area, Management Creek but the year, effort the total expended throughout September. and August in occurred time survey of bulk in 2006. Locations 2001 to Area, Management Creek survived that 1) captive-born ferrets represent green their first enter spring to least the following at to in Locations season and 2) wild-born ferrets. breeding

Figure 10. Figure Figure 7. Figure 8. Figure 9. Figure -

All black-footed ferret release locations within the locations release ferret black-footed All An example of white-tailed dog and black- example An prairie White-tailed prairie dog distribution within the Wolf Wolf dog distribution within the White-tailed prairie Location of the three black-footed ferret ferret black-footed of the three Location Creek Wolf within the ownership Land Historic distribution records of black-footed ferrets ferrets black-footed of distribution records Historic Wolf Creek Management Area, 2002 to 2006 2002 to Area, Management Creek Wolf not available). (2001 data footed ferret habitat within the Wolf Creek Manage Creek Wolf within the habitat ferret footed of part is a photograph of colony This Area. ment during routinely found were ferrets 20/23, where boundary the eastern Ridge, of 2005 and 2006. Pinyon background. the in is Area, Management Creek Wolf the Management Area. Management labeled with are Colonies Area. Management Creek A. in the text and in Appendix to numbers referred and the range of three prairie dog species in Colorado dog species in Colorado prairie of three and the range 1986). et al. Anderson (after in northwest Colorado. areas management

Figure 6. Figure Figure 5. Figure Figure 4. Figure Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure FIGURES 1. Figure LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS viii A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Table 3. Table 2. Table 1. TABLES Figure B-5. Figure B-4. Figure B-3. Figure B-2. Figure B-1.

Creek Management Area –2005. Creek Management Area –2004. Creek Management Area –2003. Wolf Creek Management Area –2002. Wolf Creek Management Area, 2001to 2006. 2000 to 2005. for the surveys Wolf Creek Management Area, the Wolf Creek Management Area, 2002to 2006. Creek Management Area –2006. Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Summary ofblack-footed ferretsSummary released withinthe results surveillance Disease from coyote serological prairieWhite-tailed dogpopulation attributes within

Table B-5. Table B-4. Table B-3. Table B-2. Table B-1. Table A-3. Table A-2. Table A-1. Table 4. Table B-6.

transecting summary.transecting summary.transecting summary.transecting 2001 to 2006. withinthe observed Wolf Creek Management Area, 2005 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. 2004 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. 2003 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. 2002 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. 2001 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. 2006 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. 2006 Wolf Creek Management Area 2005 Wolf Creek Management Area 2004 Wolf Creek Management Area Total numberofindividualblack-footed ferrets

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 ix - . Observed differences in ferret ferret in . Observed differences leucurus) survival kits and numbers of wild-born WCMA portions in different of the produced differences primarily by be driven appear to qualityin habitat (the density of prairie reintroduction This dogs and their burrows). informa valuable has contributed program needs and management research tion for and rangewide, recovery pertinent ferret to the establishment toward continues work of this and recovery of a viable population species in Colorado. - (Cynomys (Cynomys 2006, as did the population of their primary2006, as did the population the white-tailed dog prairie prey, rest of the area was low compared to other to compared low was of the area rest wild- Three sites. reintroduction ferret were litters separate three from born kits in a major step representing documented, the observed effort.However, the recovery also lower of 1.0 was size litter average and is prob sites than other reintroduction the population to maintain ably insufficient releases. supplemental without yearly in size population minimum ferret Overall 2002 to from steadily increased WCMA the

(Mustela (Mustela

were released within the Wolf Creek Creek Wolf the within released were

WCMA, survival much of the WCMA, throughout within the WCMA in 2006 was 9 ferrets 9 ferrets in 2006 was WCMA within the the end at and the minimum population survivalWhile of 13 ferrets. of 2006 was high for was captive-raised ferrets released portion in the eastern some colonies of the Management Area (WCMA) in northwest Area Management reestablish this in an effortto Colorado Following range. species within its former the and monitoring, of releases 5 years (spring) population minimum prebreeding BETWEEN THE FALL OF 2001 and the end of OF 2001 and THE FALL BETWEEN ferrets 2006, 217 black-footed nigripes) ABSTRACT A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

been reintroduced within their historical within their historical been reintroduced States United in six of the sites at range South Montana, Dakota, Colorado, (Arizona, of and in the State Wyoming) and Utah, additional wild No Mexico. Chihuahua, date. to been discovered have populations of the background review A thorough ferret and history of the black-footed Lockhart in found be can program recovery (2006). al. et -

(Mustela nigripes) (Mustela occurred. Once thought Once thought occurred.

) spp.

found near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981, Wyoming, near Meeteetse, found declined, subsequently but this population animals were and the last remaining begin a captive-breeding to captured have then, ferrets in 1987. Since program occurred throughout the grasslands and the grasslands throughout occurred North basins of west-central intermountain dogs of prairie populations America where (Cynomys was of ferrets population extinct, a remnant BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS FERRETS BLACK-FOOTED under the Endan “endangered” as listed are Species and historically Act (ESA) gered INTRODUCTION A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure 2. Coyote Management Basin Area (figure 2). into the Wolf Creek Management Area and with therelease ofcaptive-bred ferrets footed ferrets inColorado beganin2001 through 2006.Reintroduction ofblack- ment Area Colorado innorthwest from 2001 withinthe conducted Wolf Creek Manage reintroduction andrecovery activities This summarizes report black-footed ferret Costilla County in 1946 (Anderson et al. 1986). ferret sighting intheState occurred in County in1943,andthelastconfirmed west Colorado occurred nearCraig inMoffat The lastconfirmed ferret sighting innorth breaks inthefirsthalfof20th century. prairie to otherlanduses, anddiseaseout dog eradication conversion efforts, ofnative range inColorado coincident withprairie ferret was eventually eliminated from its However, populations declinedandthe (C. gunnisoni) white-tailed colonies ofblack-tailed throughout Colorado inassociation with of prairie dogsandhistorically occurred Black-footed ferrets are specialistpredators

Location ofthethree black-footed ferret management areas Colorado. innorthwest (C. leucurus) prairie dogs(figure 1). (C. ludovicianus) , andGunnison’s

, - - - lifestyles andeconomies.lifestyles While aportion that isconsistent withexisting local recovery Colorado innorthwest inamanner goal oftheprogram isto accomplish ferret species withinitsformer range. Another to a widereffort restore populations ofthis of ferrets inthewildColoradoof aspart is to establishaself-sustaining population purposeofthisreintroductionThe primary Figure 1.

(after Anderson etal. 1986). Historic distributionrecords ofblack-footed ferrets andtherange ofthree prairie dogspeciesinColorado

consists ofrepresentatives from those Footed Ferret Working Group. This group by asinglegroup, theColorado/Utah Black- planning inthetwo States are coordinated linked, offerret andmany aspects recovery Utah, these two programs are closely of ferret in recoveryColorado efforts and location of reintroduction sites and proximity ofthegeographic Because (USGS–BRD). Resources Survey–Biological Division (USFWS),andU.S. Service Geological Management (BLM),U.S. Fish and Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Bureau ofLand Wildlife (CDOW), of Utah Division Wildlife amongthe tiveColoradoDivision of effort ferrets Colorado innorthwest isacoopera The recovery program for black-footed and Parties Cooperating Agencies addressed inthisreport. recovery program inUtah andwillnotbe Colorado, oftheferret itismanagedas part of theCoyote site Basin doesoccur in

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 -

in Colorado was the Little Snake Manage the Little Snake was in Colorado at contained In 1989, this area Area. ment of least 31,720 hectares (78,400 acres) active white-tailed dog colonies, prairie The reintroduction of black-footed ferrets ferrets of black-footed reintroduction The legislative State also required Colorado into Legislature State Colorado The approval. on April the reintroduction approved This Bill 1314. House 18, 2000, through Colorado and the subsequent legislation that 33-2-105.6 required Revised Statute activities be conducted reintroduction ferret with the approach in a manner consistent the Little plan for used in the management and Fish (U.S. Area Management Snake Service 1995). Additionally, et al. Wildlife provide to cooperators it called recovery for the local community on to updates regular activities and of reintroduction the status of local representatives that required be and affected interests government of issues that in the resolution involved effort. arise during the reintroduction may releases ferret planned for original area The of the ESA. Section 7 directs all Federal of the ESA. Section 7 directs all Federal conserve to use their authorities agencies to species and and endangered threatened their actions that do not jeopardize ensure modify or adversely or destroy species listed as designated Populations critical habitat. treated are and experimental nonessential fewer given listing and are for as proposed species. listed than a fully protections local increases also often designation This support of listed the reintroduction for current that giving assurances species by will not be disrupted land uses and future population experimental The the action.by includes all of in northwest Colorado area west of Counties and Moffat Rio Blanco 13. Highway State -

distribution of reintroduced distribution of reintroduced populations. ferret black-footed black-footed ferrets to a census size size a census to ferrets black-footed 1991; adults by of 200 breeding of 1,500 free-ranging population adults breeding ferret black-footed with no populations in 10 or more adults in any than 30 breeding fewer 2010; and the year by population Encourage the widest possible the widest possible Encourage Increase the captive population of population the captive Increase census Establish a prebreeding 3) 1) 2) of Black-footed Ferrets in Northwestern in Northwestern Ferrets of Black-footed Fish (U.S. and Northeastern Utah” Colorado Service Under section 1998). Wildlife and 10(j) the USFWS of the ESA, as amended, populations reintroduced designate may the to and nonessential as experimental This of the species. existence continued agencies more Federal gives designation by flexibility in managing the species in section the responsibilities 7 relaxing Black-footed ferret reintroduction in north reintroduction ferret Black-footed in 1998 with authorized was Colorado west of the Register” “Federal in the publication Threatened and “Endangered for rule final of a Establishment and Plants: Wildlife Population Experimental Nonessential Once the final animals were captured from from captured were animals Once the final in population Wyoming, the Meeteetse, began, plans breeding 1987 and captive begin to put in place immediately were habitat suitable into ferrets reintroducing secure. was population the captive once Recovery Ferret Black-Footed national The Service 1988) Wildlife and Fish Plan (U.S. recovery objectives: three identified of white-tailed prairie dog colonies that that of white-tailed dog colonies prairie on public lands. primarily occurred -

These areas were identified as suitable sites as suitable sites identified were areas These complexes of large because each consisted Moffat County, the Wolf Creek Management Management Creek Wolf the County, Moffat and Counties, and in Moffat Rio Blanco Area in Rio Basin Area Management the Coyote be managed which would County, Blanco Basin, Utah. as part in Coyote site of a larger While no ferrets were found during these found were no ferrets While Colorado in northwest sites efforts, three for potential as having identified were the Little were These reintroduction. ferret in northwest Area Management Snake Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981, CDOW and in 1981, CDOW Wyoming, Meeteetse, an existing for USFWS began searching that At in Colorado. of ferrets population of iden they also began the process time, could ferrets where sites tifying potential in the future. Colorado into be reintroduced Program History and Program Authorization Shortly population the remnant after near found was ferrets of black-footed samples for implementation of the implementation samples for associated protocol disease monitoring reintroduction. with ferret personnel provide technical advice and advice technical personnel provide support including a variety of issues, for prairie and monitoring, management ferret disease research, and dog monitoring, while APHIS assists in collecting biological Field Office in Vernal, Utah. In addition to Utah. In addition Vernal, Officein Field support these agencies, the program for Basin Campus the Uintah from also comes (USU) and from University State of Utah Inspection Health and Plant the Animal Services. USU Service (APHIS)–Wildlife agencies listed above including three BLM BLM three including above agencies listed FieldOffice River White the field offices: Field Snake the Little Colorado; in Meeker, Vernal and the Colorado; Craig, Office in A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Group was formed inorder to develop a 2000,the In February Wolf Creek Work alternative release site. this periodandwas identified asasuitable prairie dogpopulationwhite-tailed during ment Area, asizeable continued to support (19 mi)southoftheLittleSnake Manage Area located (WCMA), approximately 30km was sought. The Wolf Creek Management eration for ferret releases andanothersite result, thesite was removed from consid due to anoutbreak ofsylvatic plague. a As throughout thelate 1990s, presumably this population ofprairie dogsdeclined administered publiclands. However, occupied habitat occurring onBLM- with approximately 95percent ofthis

- - would asasteering document for serve consensus-based management planthat Wildlife etal. 1995)andaddressed Service Moffatnorthwest (U.S.County Fish and for theLittleSnake Management Area in This planwas patterned after asimilarplan Colorado” (Wolf Creek Work Group 2001). Areas,Blanco MoffatRio and Counties, Wolf Creek andCoyote Management Basin Ferret Reintroduction andManagement— was “A Cooperative Planfor Black-Footed at large. The ofthegroup’s product work groups, energy companies, andthepublic CDOW, county government, recreational group consisted of representatives from BLM, (Colorado)Basin Management Areas. This ferret recovery inthe Wolf Creek andCoyote

and local governmentsand local andprivate entities. a cooperative among Federal, effort State, forcalled ferret recovery in Wolf Creek to be and recreation activities. The planalso stock management, mineral development, economies andlifestyles, includinglive was compatible withexisting andfuture recovery would inaway beconducted that goal identified intheplan was that ferret implementation oftheplan.Aprimary anticipated associated activities with issues andmanagement strategies; and program landuse goalsandobjectives; ment roles associated withferret recovery; within themanagement areas; manage physical, biological, andsocialresources offerretall aspects management, including - - A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Land ownership within the Wolf Creek Management Area. Management Creek Wolf within the ownership Land

Figure 3. Figure

tributary of the White River. The WCMA is WCMA The River. White tributary of the Office. The remainder of the area consists area remainder of the The Office. (4 percent) and private (6 percent) of State a large encompasses WCMA The holdings. 21,000 hectares basin of approximately of reaches the lower at (52,000 acres) is a Creek Wolf watershed; Creek Wolf the Moffat and Rio Blanco counties (figure 3). (figure and counties Moffat Rio Blanco within the management ownership Land BLM- public, is predominantly area under the land (90 percent) administered Field River White jurisdiction of the BLM’s the Wolf Creek Creek Wolf the Area Management AREA CREEK MANAGEMENT WOLF THE in in northwest Colorado (WCMA) is located Description of METHODS A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 and a variety ofannualandperennialand avariety (Poa secunda) (Leymus salina) (Pascopyrum smithii) speciesincludewesternstory wheatgrass species ofsaltbushes (Krascheninnikovia lanata) (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) tridentata) (Artemisia in thesehabitats include bigsagebrush herbaceous understory. Common shrubs shrub species andcharacterized by asparse association, which isdominated by several within the shrub WCMA isthesalt-desert The majorplant present community Regional Climate Center 2007). 29.57 cm(11.64in),respectively (Western the WCMA), is25.45cm(10.02in)and Colorado, about30km (19mi)west of southwest ofthe WCMA, andDinosaur, Rangely, Colorado, about25km (16mi) at thetwo nearest recording stations at hot summers. Average yearly precipitation arid, characterized by cold winters and uplands. The climate iscontinental and that definethetransition to surrounding basin, there are steep escarpments typically drainages.cut Along theborders ofthe and slopingvalleys by dissected deeply topography ischaracterized by rolling hills 1,890 meters (5,460to 6,200feet), andthe that point. Elevations range from 1,665to held landincreases substantially west of ofprivately theproportion 95C because area was definedasMoffat Road County ofthemanagementwestern boundary the Colorado/Utah State line;however, the major geographic barriersalltheway to pied by prairie dogsthat stretches without the basiniscontiguous with habitat occu stretching westward. The western endof anditsassociatedElk Ridge Springs uplands east by Pinyon by Ridge, andonthenorth bounded onthesouthby Coal Ridge, onthe , cheatgrass , Sandberg bluegrass , Salina wildrye wildrye , Salina (Atriplex , blackgreasewood (Bromus tectorum) , winterfat , winterfat , andseveral spp .) . Under

- - ,

management area, there are more forbs. Along the eastern margin ofthe Figure 4. of cattle allotments. Slight in reductions consistthe southernandwestern portions WCMA consist ofsheepallotments, while ofthe andeastern portions the northern use andwinter/spring cattle use. Ingeneral, Livestock grazing consists ofwinter sheep livestock grazing andbiggamehunting. landuseswithinthe The primary WCMA are waterwith artificial impoundments. habitat that associated exists istypically Wolf Creek isintermittent. The littleriparian within the WCMA, aseven themainstem of habitat areRiparian types extremely limited nant surrounding habitat type thebasin. Pinyon-juniper woodland isalsothedomi elevations are higherwithinthe WCMA. woodland present onridgetops andwhere juniper there are alsoseveral standsofpinyon- communities present,shrub-dominated by grasslands. Inadditionto thegrass- and several large drainage bottoms dominated pure standsofbigsagebrush aswell as (Pinus edulis-Juniperus osteosperma)

numbers referred to inthetextandAppendix A. White-tailed prairieWhite-tailed dogdistributionwithinthe Wolf Creek Management Area. Colonies are labeledwith

elaphus) deer antelope dogs. gamehunting Big for pronghorn able to native herbivores, includingprairie expected to improve theforage baseavail to improve range condition andmight be since 2001. These were reductions intended for several allotments withinthe WCMA incorporated into grazing permitsreissued overall grazing duration andintensity were Prairie Dog November for andDecember deerandelk. August for to pronghorn October and during generally occurs fromHunting activity that fluctuates onanannual figure certainly WCMA in2006(figures 4and5),although dog colonies distributed throughout the (19,000 acres) prairie white-tailed ofactive There were approximately 7,700hectares Monitoring Management and (Odocoileus hemionus) occurs throughout the WCMA. (Antilocapra americana)

, andelk , mule (Cervus - A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

among which ferret movements may be may movements among which ferret such a complex Demographically, expected. support be expected to would a population individuals and exchanged that of ferrets 7-km The among colonies. genetic material observed based on the longest was distance of harvest of all three species of prairie dogs dogs species of prairie of harvest of all three February 28 June 15 through to in Colorado period when prairie during the limit take to dependent and have reproducing dogs are effect took in seasonal closure This young. public lands (both 2007 and applies only to and State). Federal of complexes the purpose of identifying For suitable as black-footed dog colonies prairie proposed (1993) al. et Biggins habitat, ferret of colonies which a group a method by (4.4 mi) of one each within 7 km are that and a complex considered another are - -

of harvest in the area was assumed to be assumed to was of harvest in the area objectives. habitat with ferret compatible dogs in the of prairie As such, management with statewide consistent remained WCMA in dogs White-tailed prairie regulations. managed as historically were Colorado a small game species with a year-round season of harvest bag and and unlimited in September However, possession limits. Commission Wildlife 2006, the Colorado the season limited that passed a regulation was leased for oil and gas development in oil and gas development leased for was or develop 2006, but no exploration May on these activitiesment had occurred leases as of the end of 2006. dog shooting manage special prairie No established in the guidelines were ment ferret of black-footed as a result WCMA level because the perceived reintroduction

An example of white-tailed prairie dog and black-footed ferret habitat within the Wolf Creek Management Area. This is a photograph of part of colony 20/23, where ferrets ferrets of part 20/23, where is a photograph of colony This Area. Management Creek Wolf within the habitat ferret of white-tailed dog and black-footed example An prairie were found routinely during 2005 and 2006. Pinyon Ridge, the eastern boundary of the Wolf Creek Management Area, is in the background. the in is Area, Management Creek Wolf boundary the eastern Ridge, of the during 2005 and 2006. Pinyon routinely found were

method of mitigation where adverse adverse where method of mitigation within the impacts dog colonies prairie to WCMA Much of the unavoidable. are WCMA disturbing activities are permitted with disturbing activities permitted are dog colonies prairie avoid to conditions habitat and offsite possible, where the purpose of increasing for enhancement preferred the is acreage dog prairie occupied Land management activities management Land within the the by administered are that WCMA conducted with the objective of BLM are ac) least 6,270 ha (15,500 at maintaining white-tailedof occupied dog habitat prairie 2001). Surface- Group Work Creek (Wolf at 6,800 ha (16,800 ac) in 2001 when black- 6,800 ha (16,800 ac) in 2001 at Colony released. first were ferrets footed 11 ha (27 ac) to from in 2006 ranged sizes 1,460 ha (3,608 ac). basis. Total occupied acreage was estimated estimated was acreage occupied Total basis. Figure 5. Figure A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 prairie dog density andtheminimum prairie dogdensity The method to determine transecting were considered to represent one complex. circumspection rule, all colonies in the WCMA onthemodified 1.5-km Based complex considered “good habitat.” ofprairie dogswerethis minimumdensity 3.63 prairie dogs/ha,andareas supporting raising alitter basedonthismodelwas dogs required afemale ferret to support male ferret. The ofprairie minimumdensity female, herlitter, ofanadult andone-half one “ferret family” consists ofanadult theferretcalled familyrating (FFR)where that acomplex support. can This numberis determine aminimumnumberofferrets abundance and, basedonferret energetics, estimate prairie and dogpopulation density Active burrow thenbeusedto can density burrows andinactive active are quantified. these transects, thetotal numberof quantify prairie dogburrow density. Along widearelong and3m(10ft) usedto 1,000m(3,281ft) which belttransects ferret habitat. They proposed amethodby componentcritical ofevaluating potential identified prairie dogabundance as a prairie dogs, etal. Biggins (1993)also determining total acreage occupied by In additionto defininga complex and purpose offerret reintroduction. complexes ofprairie dogcolonies for the distance and is currently used to circumscribe intercolonytypical ordispersalmovement 1.5-km distance isnow accepted asamore were <1.5km etal. (Biggins 2006b). This 85.5 percent ofallintercolony movements Wildlife RefugeinMontana, where reintroduced ferrets at National ULBend movements(.9 mi)basedonobserved of the 7-km distance to adistance of1.5km etal.Biggins (2006a)proposed modifying remnant Meeteetse population. However, nightly movement ofaferret inthe

an area should support an area shouldsupport number offerrets that prominent role inthemanagement and distemper virus (CDV), have played a Two diseases, sylvatic plagueandcanine and Monitoring ManagementDisease climatic factors. areas appeared to fluctuate in response to that prairie dogpopulations intheirstudy Van Pelt and Winstead (2003)indicated Center 2007). 2002 and2003(Western RegionalClimate and 2006following thedrought years of or above-average precipitation during2005 was mostlikely dueto areturn to average abundance in the WCMA from 2004to 2006 factors. The increase observed inprairie dog and diseaseorsomecombination ofthese arefluctuations likely due to climatic factors prairie dogpopulations.white-tailed These in the WCMA, are probably common in abundance, and FFR, such as those observed Wide inprairie fluctuations dogdensity, as Appendix A. summaries for 2004to 2006are included methodology. Colony-specific transect data from 2004to 2006dueto variations in are comparable to oneanotherbutnotto data.transecting Data from 2002and2003 statistics for 5years of summary reports were finallystandardized in2004. Table 1 characteristics. routes Methods andtransect prairie dogpopulation that timeto quantify were usedthroughout sampling frequency sampling intensity, and areas withinthe WCMA, 1989. However, different WCMA beginningin was employed inthe Both Maxfield(undated)Both and 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 Table 1. Year prairieWhite-tailed dogpopulation attributes withinthe Wolf Creek Complex Dog/Ha

Prairie Entire Management Area, 2002to 2006. —

7.2 4.3 2.7 3.4 3.2

Population Estimate Complex into North Americafrominto around Asia North 1900. bacterium transferable to by humans)caused the is maintained inwildlife populations but is aflea-borne zoonotic disease (one that throughout theirrange. Sylvatic plague ofblack-footedconservation ferrets in thewild. to the elimination ofblack-footed ferrets thatcausing decline, whicheventually led diseases probably acted synergistically in in theferret population there, andthese Wyoming, site in1985duringadecline and CDV were found present at the Meeteetse, (Williams etal. sylvatic 1988).Both plague wild andunvaccinated domesticcanids through interactions orhabitat overlap with they are probably mostoften exposed to ferrets are highlysusceptible to CDV, which alsobeaffected.taxa can Black-footed carnivores, primarily affects althoughother animals.disease ininfected This disease aerosol that central causes system nervous CDV is a viral pathogen commonly spread by virulent to ferrets (Williams etal. 1994). prey,their primary within addition to highmortality causing 1993,Cully(Barnes and Williams 2001).In footed ferret America throughout North dog populations and recovery of the black- threats toprimary thepersistence ofprairie dogs andhasbeenindicated asoneofthe It ishighlyvirulent to allspeciesofprairie Entire — 52,650 33,309 21,112 19,968 18,843 Yersinia pestis % Good Habitat 74 50 29 41 38 Y. pestis Dog/Ha - Habitat Prairie Good that was introduced 9.1 6.9 7.0 6.8 6.6 isalsohighly Population Estimate Habitat Good — 49,519 27,615 15,485 16,564 14,846

FFR

64.1 36.1 19.6 21.9 18.4 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 9.09 5.00 21.05 19.05 27.78 10.53 42.86 43.75 38.46 27.27 40.00 26.32 -

% Positive % Positive % Positive

Y. Y.

9 8 8 12 12 14 19 17 13 11 19 15 17 13 12 10 19 17 Y. pestis Y. Negative Negative Negative 9 7 5 3 8 5 0 0 0 0 1 4 4 5 0 1 1 2 Plague Tularemia (n=1). All samples were samples were (n=1). All Positive Positive Positive , manufactured by Bayer Bayer , manufactured by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)Virus Canine Distemper ® 21 16 13 11 20 19 19 17 13 11 20 19 21 18 12 11 20 19 infection may have been negatively been negatively infection have may # Tested # # Tested # Tested # impacting ferret or prairie dog survival. On or prairie impacting ferret 6 and 13) (colonies colonies the treated with 4 g of treated was every burrow deltamethrin formulation 0.05 percent (Delta Dust Reithrodontomys Reithrodontomys plague and tularemia. for negative 347 ha totaling dog colonies prairie Two with an insecticide treated (857 ac) were reduce fleas and kill dust to during the summers of 2004 transmission part was test of a collabora This and 2005. the determine project to research tive for increasing efficacytreatment of this goal The dog survival. and prairie ferret of levels whether low identify to was pestis for the Wolf Creek Management Area, 2000 to 2005. 2000 to Area, Management Creek Wolf the for Disease surveillance results from coyote serological surveys serological coyote from Disease surveillance results 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Period

Sampling Table 2. Table - (n=290), - - (n=2), and

Peromyscus Peromyscus Onychomys Onychomys (n=10), small mammals at a number of locations a number of locations small mammals at tested Samples were WCMA. within the plague and to of exposure evidence for because rodents but not CDV tularemia Field CDV. be hosts for to not known are carried out in early August sampling was from gathered 2006 and samples were the 303 small mammals representing genera: following Tamias greater spatial and temporal and temporal spatial greater disease in monitoring resolution activity the small home due to and shortranges typical lifespans of most sample size A much larger small mammals. and it was using this method, gathered was than contracting economical also more Services. Staff APHIS–Wildlife through Program Health Wildlife the CDOW from consisted which managed the sampling, live-trapped blood samples from of taking Because and some limita of cost the in interpreting tions inherent of disease surveillance results opportunisticconducted through this method sampling, carnivore in 2006. As discontinued was disease surveil an alternative, through accomplished was lance sampling small mammals within method offers This WCMA. the proportion of positive coyotes coyotes proportion positive of to 26 percent from ranging As with plague, 44 percent. of tula though, the presence a have to did not appear remia effect on prairie negative great as they have dog populations, of in the presence increased seemingly high tularemia infection rates. seroprevalence was high each was seroprevalence the with of sampling, year - -

(Canis (Canis Francisella Francisella among Y. pestis Y. and CDV within the and CDV Y. pestis Y. , which is not known to adversely adversely to , which is not known were tested for serological evidence evidence serological for tested were indicate that this pathogen is probably is probably this pathogen that indicate In WCMA. within the present consistently tularemia plague and CDV, to contrast varied by year, but was generally low. The The low. generally but was year, by varied coyotes seropositive highest number of CDV in the present antibodies (those with CDV collected in 2000 (19 percent blood) were and 2001 positive) of those sampled were but these results positive), were (28 percent coyotes tested positive for plague, during plague, for positive tested coyotes an indicate did not appear to those years dog because prairie active plague outbreak time during that also increased populations CDV to of exposure Seroprevalence period. coyotes in the WCMA was absent each year each year absent was WCMA in the coyotes slightly 2003, but increased 2000 to from in 2004 and 2005 (table 2). How each year in plague seroprevalence, this increase ever, from which blood serum at or the rate collected through a combination of calling of a combination collected through sample sizes Targeted and aerial gunning. 20, while actual sample size were each year 21. 11 to from ranged to of exposure Evidence positive result indicates only that the host only that indicates result positive sometime the pathogen to exposed was was collection of coyotes The during its life. with CDOW in cooperation accomplished were Services. Coyotes and APHIS–Wildlife affect ferrets but can affectcause mortalityferrets Serological and lagomorphs. in rodents surveys exposure disease determine for of pathogen- the presence for looking by A in the blood of a host. specific antibodies of exposure to to of exposure 2005. In 2000 to from each year WCMA sero for also tested were addition, coyotes a tularemia, to of exposure logical evidence the bacteriumdisease caused by tularensis To monitor the status of select status the diseases monitor To the suitability of compromise may that coyotes habitat, ferret as WCMA the latrans) 10 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 released eachyear are captive-reared recovery coordinator. The offerrets majority is madeby theUSFWS’s black-footed ferret the sex andagemakeup ofthoseanimals, many conservation. The finaldecisionas to how research contributions, andlong-term site past ferret kit survival, production, habitat, diseasestatus andmanagement, of a numberoffactors, includingsuitability requesting ferrets are ranked according to allocation proposals to theUSFWS. Sites involved inferret reintroduction submit into thewild, agenciesandorganizations To obtainblack-footed ferrets for release Preconditioning Allocation and Management Black-Footed Ferret were established. habitat conditions, for whichnocontrols recreational shootingpressure, orlocal includingpredation,other factors could haveeffect) been confounded by any treatment (or lackoftreatment effect Furthermore,small changesinsurvival. probably notsensitive enoughto detect monitoring transects, but thismethodis the two treatment colonies, basedonyearly onprairiement dogpopulations effect at ever relocated. There was no apparent treat these colonies during2004and2005were noneoftheferretsbecause released on on ferretcould notbedetermined survival the “Releases” section). Treatment effects plague-vaccinated andcontrol animals(see these treatment colonies includedboth burrows. Subsequent ferret releases on labeled for thecontrol offleasin rodent Jersey), asynthetic pyrethroid insecticide Environmental Science, Montvale, New ferrets eachsite receives, aswell as

Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center in animals that are produced at theNational develop hunting skills. dogs sothat theycould burrows andto live prairie environment ofprairie dog were exposed to thenatural during whichtimethey pens for 30to 60days, were maintained inthese to bothColorado andUtah Ferretsactivities. allocated for preconditioning and provided to thefacility Colorado,Grand Junction, CDOW eachyear from near prairie dogs are trapped by (70 by 70feet). White-tailed about 21by 21meters consists of20 pens, each prairie dogcolony and County. The site was builtonawhite-tailed ditioning pensnearBrowns Park inMoffat Snake Field manages Office “onsite” precon reintroduction program. The BLM’s Little oftheColoradohas beenanintegral part ofthis,Because ferret preconditioning natural environments etal. (Biggins 1998). rates thananimalspreconditioned inquasi- liveor capturing prey have lower survival experience livinginanatural environment released into thewildwithnoprerelease Captive-bred ferrets reared and incages to othersites. Dakota have been captured and transplanted Conata reintroduction Basin site inSouth addition, somewild-bornferrets from the each year for release into thewild. In contribute to thepoolofferrets available grams for black-footed ferrets and facilities alsohave captive-breeding pro Wyoming). However, anumberofother Collins,Fort Colorado (formerly inSybille,

Grand Total 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 Table 3. Year

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Summary ofblack-footed ferretsSummary released withinthe -

Sex

Wolf Creek Management -

wild-born animalsthat were transplanted However, 10ferrets released in2003were of several facilitiesacross theUnited States. animalsthatcaptive-raised from came one the WCMA duringthisperiodwere ferrets (207/217,or95percent) released in for release.the preferred Most age-class from theirmaternal territory, sokits are period whenkits would naturally disperse summer orfallto correspond withthetime ferretscaptive-born occurs inthelate (15 percent) were adults. The release of kits whentheywere released and33 figureOf those, 6). 184(85percent) were the WCMA from 2001to 2006 (table3, A total of217ferrets were released in Releases this data was notavailable. the WCMA for allyears but2001,for which includes mapsofrelease locations within released withinthe WCMA. Appendix Balso the originandrelease data for allferrets ranged from 19to 63.Appendix Bdetails number offerrets released inany given year from Conata Dakota. South Basin, The Kits # Captive- Released 10 17 13 18 25 20 17 12 11 17 6 8 Born Adults 14 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 1 7 0 Area, 2001to 2006. Released # Wild- All Kits Born 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 0 0 0 0 Total 11 17 13 19 25 38 25 19 18 17 6 9 9/26/06 to 10/6/04 to 8/16/03 to 8/15/02 to Inclusive Release 10/13/05 11/16/04 11/19/03 11/19/02 11/23/01 11/15/01 Dates 11/9/06 11/2/05

to to

Total Year 217 28 19 44 63 28 35 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 11

prairie dog habitat. prairie by Merial, Inc, Athens, Georgia). Beginning Georgia). Athens, Inc, Merial, by also received in 2004, a subset of ferrets as parta plague vaccine of a research whether vaccinating determine to program protect against plague would ferrets of plague activity levels them against low survival survival. Increased and increase has been ferrets of plague-vaccinated dog prairie observed on black-tailed personal Biggins, (D. in Montana habitat desired and researchers communication) include ferret to this research expand to within white-tailed sites reintroduction Ferret Distemper, manufactured Distemper, Ferret ® if one chip fails, identification can still be identification if one chip fails, chip. made with the remaining a received WCMA in the released ferrets All vaccinations canineseries of two distemper (Purevax approximately the size of a large grain of grain of a large the size approximately subcutaneously in implanted were rice, chip Each the neck and near the pelvis. a unique nine-digitcontains is number that and allows reader a specialized by activated ferrets of the individual identification for chips were Two of the animal. the life for a redundancy whereby create to implanted

All black-footed ferret release locations within the Wolf Creek Management Area, 2002 to 2006 (2001 data not available). 2006 (2001 data 2002 to Area, Management Creek Wolf the within locations release ferret black-footed All

release, all ferrets were implanted with two with two implanted were all ferrets release, (PIT)transponder chips integrated passive Devices, Identification Veterinary (American which are chips, These California). Norco, density (as determined by transecting)density by (as determined without further with high support. Areas release chosen for dog densityprairie were the density is considered because prey most important characteristic habitat to 2006b). Prior (Biggins et al. ferrets for All ferret releases in Colorado have been have in Colorado releases ferret All did not have ferrets is, That releases. “hard” they could that cages or nest boxes onsite ferrets Instead, release. following to return dog of high prairie areas into released were Figure 6. Figure A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 13 the potential breeding population. Once a population. breeding the potential made to was an attempt located, was ferret the animal with a hand-held either identify be surveyed. Those colonies or portions colonies Those of be surveyed. were each year surveyed were that colonies occupancychosen based on past ferret and dog density by high prairie as determined In addition to transects. monitoring yearly surveys, summer spotlight late the intense conducted in the additional surveys were fall and early winter in the late WCMA the determine December) to to (October short-term released survival of recently to April) to and in the spring (March ferrets survival overwinter determine and identify

aboveground in litter groups and litter and litter groups in litter aboveground can be quantified. maternity and size survey timed efforts intense were These with the full moon and were coincide to 10-day multiple periods so that held over surveyed. be adequately could colonies of white-tailed area Due the large to about 7,700 ha WCMA, dogs in the prairie (19,000 ac), only a portion could of the area constantly scanning from dusk until dawn dawn dusk until scanning from constantly nights. a minimum of 3 consecutive for surveys spotlight for most intense The each year, place took WCMA in the ferrets or beginning in 2002, in either August active often are when kits September,

, and pronghorn also reflects , and pronghorn

typically use continuous illumination while typically illumination use continuous dog colony, a prairie through moving slowly emerald green eyeshine. While the eyeshine eyeshine the While eyeshine. green emerald badgers of other animals such as coyotes, taxus) (Taxidea can ferrets of identification positive green, of the animal close approach be made by searchers spotlighting, When in question. high-intensity spotlights, either mounted either mounted spotlights, high-intensity night. at or carried on foot, on a vehicle locate surveythis to of goal is technique The night most active at when they are ferrets their characteristic bright, illuminating by Spotlighting USED METHOD of THE MOST COMMONLY is nocturnal ferrets black-footed monitoring Campbell 1984, et al. (Clark spotlighting using method involves This 1985). et al. Monitoring EffortsMonitoring RESULTS 14 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure 7. Figure 7. ferrets that were released into thewild. described previously for captive-born chips, andgiven aCDV vaccination, as were captured, implanted withtwo PIT objectives. Any wild-born ferrets encountered or by trapping, dependingonsurvey over theoccupied burrow (figures 7aandb) PIT reader by placingitscircular antenna b) Inthispicture, thePITreader isinastorage to pouchand connected a12 V power source. reader over theentrance ofaprairie dogburrow. circulara) An example antenna ofthe 6-inch-diameter ofahand-heldpassive integrated transponder (PIT)

WCMA in 2002, and the total survey effort WCMA effort in2002,andthetotal survey wereSpotlight surveys initiated inthe small proportion oftheoverallsmall proportion prairie dog restricted to existing roads, andarelatively vehiclebecause travel inthe WCMA is on was foot conducted of thiseffort 1,200 hoursperyear (figure 8). The majority ranged from about700hoursto over

a standard measure of short-term survival a standard survival measure ofshort-term fall andearlywinter periodandare survey wereobservations madeduringthelate at least30days following release. These released inagiven year andthat survived includeanimalsthatobservations were included inthesetotals. Postrelease ofgreenobservations eyeshine are not PIT chipreading orcapture. Unconfirmed thator thoseobservations resulted ina that theanimalwas ablack-footed ferret that were madeat closerange to besure tions were inthefield thoseobservations intable4.Confirmedreported observa are confirmedtable 4.Only observations within the WCMA eachyear in isreported total numberofindividualferrets observed colony acreage isvisiblefrom roads. The four were inconclusive asto whetherthey four were from ferret and mortalities, were confirmed to bedropped collars, 10 oftheferrets were recovered: two planned. Transmitters andcollars from flights than telemetry were originally 2002. Inclement weather resulted infewer from November 7, 14,2001,to January carried out flights) and ground telemetry (five night telemetry flights and two day 45 days. Monitoring consisted ofbothaerial and anaverage life of expectedbattery range with afrequency of164-165MHz 23 kits were fitted with radio transmitters postrelease movements the andsurvival, consisted of23kits and7adults. To track WCMA occurred onNovember 15,2001,and The initialblack-footed ferret release inthe Radio Telemetry al. 2006c). in ferret recovery programs (e.g., et Biggins -

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 15 -

released into good habitat with sufficient with sufficient good habitat into released postrelease limited demonstrate may prey survival increasing by thereby movements, and reducing predators to limiting exposure expenditure. energetic ary for more than 3 consecutive days. The The days. ary than 3 consecutive more for the life for followed was that single ferret on male released a juvenile was of its collar individual remained This October 19, 2005. (colony released he was where the colony at about 750 m (2,461 ft) to 25) while moving the east during the telemetry monitoring general this same period; he still occupied by as determined the end of 2006 at area surveys. spotlight proportionBecause of radio- a large shortly shed their collars ferrets collared on postrelease gained data release, after and survival of captive-raised movements were WCMA in the animals released this telemetry did work However, minimal. release at other seen some trends confirm can captive-raised ferrets namely that sites, be particularly predation to susceptible ferrets shortly and that release after found shallowly buried outside of the buried outside of shallowly found released, were ferrets the where colony predation with coyote consistent which was telemetryobserved ferret during work Biggins, (D. sites reintroduction other at third The personal communication). of mortalityretrieval upon confirmed was evidence which showed collar, the ferret’s marks including a rip and bite of predation, the package; however, on the transmitter Of not be confirmed. could type of predator radio-collared eight ferrets, the remaining days several within six shed their collars again not located one was of their release, and one its release, after beginning the day Shed of the collar. the life for followed was the excavating by confirmed were collars station was within which the collar burrow

fall and early winter fall and early winter intended of 2005 was some help address to the questions regarding short-term survival and of captive- movements released ferrets raised the telemetry work carried out during the 3 8 2 13 2006 6 6 1 13 2005 3 3 0 6 ferrets, with collars still attached, were were still attached, with collars ferrets, collared animals were released between between released animals were collared October 13 and October 2005, and 26, (model: using hand-held receivers followed Inc., Specialists, Communication R-1000; and three-element California) Orange, antennas. Yagi folding with radio Of released the 11 animals predators by killed were three collars, heads of two The of release. within 1 week into the wild within the WCMA. The radio radio The WCMA. the wild within the into Inc., Materials, (Wildlife transmitters approximately weighed Illinois) Murphysboro, had a 20-cm5 g (.18 oz), (7.9-inch) whip to animals as affixed and were antenna, The (2006c). described in Biggins et al. 150-151 MHz, frequency used was range had an average and the transmitters Radio-expected battery of 50 days. life 2004 - 2 1 0 3 2003

1 1 0 2 2002 6 6 N/A N/A , and an unknown , and an unknown 2001 (Aquila chrysaetos) (Aquila Wolf Creek Management Area, 2001 to 2006. 2001 to Area, Management Creek Wolf total effort expended throughout the year, but the bulk of survey time occurred in August and September. and August in occurred time survey of bulk but the year, effort the total expended throughout Total spotlighting survey effort by year in the Wolf Creek Management Area, 2002 to 2006. Bars represent represent to 2006. Bars 2002 Area, Management Creek Wolf survey spotlighting effortyear in the by Total Total number of individual black-footed ferrets observed within the ferrets of individual black-footed number Total

postrelease movements and survival. Spot movements postrelease surveyslight 2002 and 2004 had between observations in very and ferret few resulted 26 percent (6/23) for these first kits first these (6/23) for 26 percent WCMA. in the released In the fall of 2005, 11 captive-raised ferrets radio transmitters with again fitted were in an effort to document release prior to several were relocated during telemetry relocated were several their following 3 weeks up to monitoring again not relocated were but many release, estimate A conservative release. following of short-term (30-day) mortality was four mortalities were determined to be to determined mortalitiesfour were a golden cases, in two a coyote caused by eagle from 13 ferrets Of the remaining raptor. not recovered, were which transmitters were dropped collars or mortalities. The The or mortalities. collars dropped were Minimum Yearend Population Population Yearend Minimum Estimate Ferrets Alive 30 Days Postrelease Days 30 Alive Ferrets Years Previous From Ferrets Ferrets Wild-Born Table 4. Table Figure 8. Figure 16 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 February 2002,butnoferretFebruary locations have snowtracking between 2001and December individual ferrets were confirmed through conditions existed. The locations offour reintroduction program whenproper snow in the WCMA duringthefirst5 years ofthe This technique was usedopportunistically ferrets was describedby Clark etal. (1984). for locating andstudying black-footed The useofsnowtracking method asasurvey Snowtracking dogs insearches for black-footed ferrets. suggestionsfor theuseofscent further interpretation oftheseresults and offer observations. Whitelaw etal. (2005)discuss burrows resulted innoconfirmed ferret deployment ontheeight “double-checked” followup spotlight searches andPITreader burrow indicated by thefirstdog. However, on aburrow ofa within50m(164ft) four othercases, thesecond dogindicated which indicated onthesameburrow. In “double-checking” by thesecond dog, by onedog, four were “confirmed” by blind ferret occupancy. Of those burrows indicated 36 burrows were indicated, suggesting colonies. thetwo dogs, Between atotal of approximately 37hoursonseven different in ferret searches, searched for atotal of live ferrets, bothwithprevious experience Two dogstrained to indicate onthescent of resulted infew confirmed ferret detections. duringthepreviousconducted 3years had in the WCMA spotlight because searches searchesconduct for black-footed ferrets In May 2005,theywere contracted to wildlife speciesandtheirsigns.detect that specializes inusingscent dogsto nization basedin Three Forks, Montana, Working for Conservation Dogs isanorga Conservation Working for Dogs

then. The snowtrackingexpended in effort been confirmed through snowtracking since litters ofonekit each. monitoring), andallthree represented is separated for thesake ofprairie dog colony 20/23(asinglelarge colony that in 2005.All three wild-bornkits from came ferret female released 4884,a1-year-old wild-born. Ferret WC06-02 was thekit of from 2005,making herasecond generation WC05-01, wild-bornfemale the1-year-old in 2006.Ferret WC06-01 was thekit of the two kits (WC06-01, WC06-02) located located in 2005, maternity was confirmed for was(WC05-01) notconfirmed for the kit and November of2006. While maternity kits were captured and marked in September on November 20,2005,andtwo additional first wild-born kit capturedwas andmarked within the WCMA by theendof2006. The Three wild-bornferrets were documented rets iscentral to thesuccess oftheprogram. such,reproductionAs by free-ranging fer require constant population augmentation. self-sustaining population that doesnot ferret recovery program isto establisha The goalofthe Wolf Creek black-footed the Wild Reproduction in habitat use(Richardson etal. 1987). studying winter movement patterns and beausefultoolcan inlocating ferrets and adequate snow conditions, snowtracking cover within the WCMA. However, given been expended, mostlydueto poorsnow have snowtracking efforts opportunistic on snowtracking. Since then,onlylimited, expended eachofthefollowing two winters werebut onlyabout80hoursofeffort the winter of2001-2002was 500hours,

females livinginanenvironment withlow oftheenergeticmay costs beafunction of rienced at thesite. smalllitter Such sizes to expe compensate for annualmortality valuesreported andisprobably insufficient WCMA was substantially lower thanthose The average litter inthe size of1.0observed Meeteetse, Wyoming (Forrest etal. 1988). prairie dogcolonieswhite-tailed at and 3.3(n=68)for ferrets inhabiting dog colonies inMontana (Matchett 1999), duced ferrets inhabitingblack-tailed prairie and Clark 1980),2.2(n=38)for reintro (Linder etal. inHillman 1972,asreported tailed prairie Dakota dogcolonies inSouth 3.5 (n=11)for ferrets inhabitingblack- emergence for ferrets inthewildinclude Previously average reported litter sizes at in the WCMA. dog densitieswere muchhigherthanthose dog colonies inhisstudyarea, where prairie onblack-tailedprairie dogdensity prairie andcompete forselect patches ofhigh (2007), whofound that female ferrets Dakotain South andMontana by Jachowski isconsistentobservation withrecent work burrow densitieswithinthesecolonies. This litters appeared to usepatches ofhigh transecting. Inaddition,females with 5.5 prairie dogs/ha asdetermined by yearly prairie dogdensities ofgreater than only documented incolonies withaverage reproducing females, reproduction was to support necessary the minimumdensity etal.which Biggins (1993)predicted to be densities ofat least3.63prairie dogs/ha, site. Even though much of the area supported fromreported any current reintroduction throughout the WCMA are thelowest prey densities. Overall prairie dogdensities

- -

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 17 -

2001 until the end of 2006. The amount amount The the end of 2006. 2001 until ferret per unique effortrequired of search population size. A minimum prebreeding prebreeding A minimum size. population was of 30 ferrets (spring) population (U.S. recovery plan national in the identified Service as a goal 1988) Wildlife and Fish Hours sites. individual reintroduction for much survey during this expended were than during the annual summer sur fewer personnel; however, because of limited vey with survey efforts located were ferrets five to considered was on what concentrated surveys Subsequent be the best habitat. additional animals found 2006 throughout during the not located were that present nine least at that indicating spring survey, in the spring of 2006. present were ferrets of all black- the locations 9 shows Figure December observed from ferrets footed

numbers was observed from 2002 to 2006, 2002 to observednumbers was from of population with a minimum yearend in 2006. 13 ferrets A spring survey conducted in the was purpose The of 2006. in mid-March WCMA assess overwinter of this survey to was survival the minimum spring and document surveys is an indicator of short-termsurveys indicator is an survival but survey of captive-born animals, efforts(October– period during this time year from not consistent December) were in the of trends indicator A better year. to number of is the population ferret overall and years previous from animals relocated detected ferrets the number of wild-born summer surveys conductedduring yearly in because or early September effortsAugust in increase A steady similar each year. were ferrets observed during 30-dayferrets postrelease

released that survived at least 30 days in the wild following release. following in the wild survived least 30 days that at released to at least the following spring to enter their first breeding season and 2) wild-born ferrets. Locations in blue represent ferrets relocated in the year they were were year they in the relocated ferrets represent in blue Locations ferrets. season and 2) wild-born their first breeding enter spring to least the following at to All black-footed ferret relocations within the Wolf Creek Management Area, 2001 to 2006. Locations in green represent 1) captive-born ferrets that survived that 1) captive-born ferrets represent in green 2006. Locations 2001 to Area, Management Creek Wolf within the relocations ferret black-footed All

Figure 9. Figure this figure that has been commonly used to commonly used has been that this figure status. population report ferret observed each number of ferrets total The of number The in table 4. is shown year determining population status. This tecnique, tecnique, This status. population determining a minimum provides only used, as presently be alive. to number of animals known or near-complete a complete Therefore, to survey has been required of all habitat and it is size, minimum population estimate Movements reintroduction ferret black-footed date, To as the on spotlighting relied have programs primary and means of surveying ferrets for Population Size, Size, Population Survival, and 18 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure 10. of been located intheeastern portion Most oftheferrets to date observed have periods). 52 hours(n=8survey witha medianof per uniqueobservation ranged fromsearch 12 efforts to 126hours byreported etal. Biggins (2006d). There, dog habitat inShirleyBasin, Wyoming, reintroduction prairie site onwhite-tailed per uniqueferret at observation another the amount ofspotlighting timerequired figuressearch effort are comparable to of containing ferrets were surveyed. These when only areas with the highest probability the springof2006(5ferrets, 90hours), (9 ferrets, 630hours),and18hoursduring 70 hoursduringthesummerof2006 summer of2005(5ferrets, 700hours), wasobservation 140hoursduringthe

Documented long-distance, intercolonyDocumented long-distance, dispersal movements by ferrets withinthe Wolf Creek Management Area.

among release colonies (seefigure 6vs. the appearstoWCMA, differ andsurvival released in2005.Inaddition,allthree in 2004and43percent (6/14)for ferrets was 33percent (2/6)for ferrets released ferrets released intheseeastern colonies minimum apparent to 1year survival for reliable estimateshowever, ofsurvival; priortorelease 2004to make cohorts WCMA. Too few ferrets were relocated from ferrets released onothercolonies inthe have beenreencountered more often than However, ferrets released inthesecolonies mapped prairie doghabitat inthe WCMA. represent about14percent ofthecurrently about 1,100ha(2,718ac)insize and located (colonies 18,20/23,and25)total of the WCMA where mostferrets were figure 9). The colonies in the eastern portion

(6.21 mi)from hisrelease location into this in 2003(P393)moved more than10km distance into colony 20/23;amalereleased ferret documented to dispersealong location (figure 10). This was thesecond more than7km (4.35mi)from herrelease the following summer, having dispersed ofthe 20/23 intheeastern portion WCMA female (4745),was relocated oncolony documented to have to 1year, survived a ferret from the2004release that was (0/5) for ferrets released in2005. The one for ferrets released in2004and0percent of the WCMA colonies was 3percent (1/38) ferrets released throughout theremainder minimum apparent to 1year survival for come from thesecolonies. Incontrast, wild-born ferrets documented to date have colony (crossing U.S. Highway 40alongthe

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 19 Another factor possibly driving differences factorAnother driving differences possibly primarily survival disease, was in ferret Beginning 2004, approximately in plague. a received released half of the ferrets as part plague vaccine of an experimental is effective if this vaccine determine trial to survival where in areas ferret in increasing of the None levels. low at exist plague may in 2004 released were that ferrets three in summer 2005 had been and relocated of the while four against plague, vaccinated in 2005 and relocated released six ferrets against vaccinated in summer 2006 were trial in this vaccine Results from plague. Basin, are Utah, and in Coyote WCMA the of with no clear pattern so far, equivocal in survivalvaccinated between differences groups. and control

colonies. Forrest et al. (1985) and Biggins et al. Forrest colonies. with high areas (2006b) discuss how et al. ferrets to beneficial be would density burrow the and reducing escape cover providing by between traveling aboveground time spent most susceptible are when ferrets burrows is no data there Unfortunately, predators. to or distribution on the abundance available WCMA in the predators ferret of potential differences observed explain help might that survival. in ferret these colonies with a minimum density with these colonies of Biggins by considered dogs/ha, 3.63 prairie habitat, “good” represent (1993) to et al. In A). high (Appendix consistently also was dog density prairie with high areas general, with than areas habitat better represent dog density prairie because searching low is less energetically out and securing prey density itself may burrow However, costly. dog use prairie ferrets how also influence 25 were consistently among the highest in among consistently 25 were addition, the proportion In of WCMA. the

factors. In regard to habitat quality, prairie prairie quality, habitat to In regard factors. 18, 20/23, and colonies dog densities at at other release sites (Biggins et al. 2006c). (Biggins et al. sites other release at in survival observed among The differences have may WCMA within the colonies quality, in habitat differences been due to or other disease dynamics, predation, 1 year) for captive-raised ferrets released released captive-raised ferrets for 1 year) to compared low was WCMA in the but survival of ferrets sites, other release was colonies eastern on the three released recorded than that or higher to equivalent of the two oldest ferrets located to date in date to located oldest ferrets of the two also (P316) was ferret A female WCMA. the old years 3.5 to survived have to documented 2005. December in located last was she when survival long-term (survival Overall, to way), where he apparently established a established he apparently where way), more several territory relocated was and the end at still alive P393 was Ferret times. old and one him 3.5 years of 2006, making A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 21 - -

3-day period was not met in WCMA surveys. WCMA 3-day not met in period was as well WCMA, gained in the Experience (2006d) Biggins et al. reported by as that another white-tailedfor dog prairie same location on successive nights by two two by nights on successive same location both without prior knowl crews, separate On the other hand, edge of its presence. missed during surveys, likely were ferrets sub detectiona their during by indicated as consecutive least three At survey. sequent in each attempted of surveysnights were accomplished not always but this was area, or other logistical con weather due to dog habitat of prairie areas Large straints. a tradeoff also required WCMA within the surveybetween effort in a given intensity of all suitable coverage and adequate area of Biggins et recommendation The habitat. be covered should an area (2006d) that al. during that least every 60 minutes at 30 to - -

, and

(Mustela frenata) (Mustela in those areas. In one in those areas. (Lynx rufus) (Lynx been relocated. In addition, the adequacy been relocated. not have ferrets where of surveys in areas has been supported been found through the observation of other infrequently such as badgers, observed small carnivores long-tailed weasels bobcats to (presumed a long-tailed weasel instance, observedbe a single individual) was in the The variable pattern of success observed of success at pattern variable The prob was WCMA colonies in the different ably not an artifact of survey procedures. is difficult within the spotlighting While relatively because terrain, of rugged WCMA and lack of vehicle heavy cover, shrub of hours of spotlighting hundreds access, both within conducted each year, were survival where and reproduc those colonies and in other been documented tion have have ferrets if any few where colonies

supplemental releases. supplemental the rest of the WCMA was very and all was low WCMA of the the rest of a single were documented litters three surviving compared is also low which kit, and probably sites other reintroduction to a stable to maintain insufficient of yearly in the absence population equivalent to and, in some cases, higher cases, in some and, to equivalent has been observed other than what at currently sites including sites, reintroduction self-sustaining supporting apparently large, survival in much of However, populations. within the WCMA were equally suitable for equally suitable for were WCMA within the ferrets female for and in particular, ferrets, survival Ferret a litter. raise to attempting and longevity of colonies within a subset were WCMA portionin the eastern of the THE OBSERVED PATTERNS of ferret habitat habitat of ferret THE OBSERVED PATTERNS in the wild survival, and reproduction use, dog colonies not all prairie imply that

RECOMMENDATIONS DISCUSSION AND DISCUSSION 22 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 habitat quality (the density ofprairie dogs (thedensity habitat quality demographic rates inthe WCMA was most likely influencing ferret factor of plaguewere reducing ferret the survival, with noevidence to suggestthat low levels In theabsence ofplagueoutbreaks, and andpopulation size.survival sites inorder to gainreliable data onferret and Gunnison’s prairie dogreintroduction with ferret reintroductions at white-tailed by etal. Biggins (2006d)whendealing requirementsminimum survey proposed should strive to meetorexceed the densities. Given thisinformation, managers densities, withconcomitantly lower ferret shrub cover andlower overall prairie dog are characterized by higheramounts of tailed andGunnison’s prairie dogcolonies is probably that dueto white- thefact tailed prairie dogreintroduction sites. This ofsites thanatthese types many black- is required for eachferret at observation indicates that alarger amount ofeffort reintroduction site (Aubrey Valley, Arizona), Wyoming) andaGunnison’s prairie dog reintroduction site (ShirleyBasin,

reintroduction sites, the WCMA exhibits the and theirburrows). Among current ferret ferrets hastaken place at reintroduction Most oftherecent research onblack-footed was 5.5prairiedensity dogs/haorhigher. documented oncolonies where prairie dog most ofthesecolonies andlitters were only not reencountered following release on minimum threshold. However, ferrets were many colonies withinthe WCMA metthis young duringthelitter-rearing period, and is required afemale ferret to with support of3.63/ha a minimumprairie dogdensity etal.option. Biggins (1993)predicted that ferret where prey-switching isnotaviable specialist predator suchastheblack-footed retically beeven more pronounced for a 2001), andthisrelationship shouldtheo species ofcarnivores (Fuller andSievert size isstrongly tiedto prey for many density sufficient prey density. Variation inlitter predicted to declineintheabsence of of young by females, litter size might be offerret istherearingaspect natural history that themostenergetically expensive lowest overall prairie dogdensity. Given

Much of the landscape withintherangeMuch ofthelandscape of habitat for ferrets.potentially high-quality prairiethat dogsprovide white-tailed prairie dogcomplex,white-tailed evidence near Meeteetse, Wyoming, existed ona population offree-ranging ferrets from sustaining. However, thelastknown ferrets that may beconsidered self- alargecurrently population of supports sites, onlyone(ShirleyBasin, Wyoming) attempted prairie at dog white-tailed needed. thethree Of ferret reintroductions graphy prairie at dogsites white-tailed is on ferret resource anddemo- selection dogs (Hoogland 1981).Additional research prairie higher densitiesthanwhite-tailed dogs, aspeciesthat naturally occurs at sites withintherange ofblack-tailed prairie conservation needsofferrets.conservation tailed prairie thegreater dogsites willserve aviableferret populationsupport at white- standing ofwhat conditions are neededto release sites. Therefore, abetter under for thedevelopment offutureopportunities and inpublicownership, providing good prairie dogisstillintact the white-tailed

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 23

Management Area, 2004–2006 Area, Management Summary for the Wolf Creek Wolf the for Summary PRAIRIE DOG TRANSECT SAMPLING TRANSECT DOG PRAIRIE APPENDIX A: COLONY-SPECIFIC A: COLONY-SPECIFIC APPENDIX 24 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

Table A-1. 2004 Wolf Creek Management Area transecting summary. Colony Size Active Ha Active/Ha Total/Ha PD Density PD # Total BFF Rating Ha Good % Good Active/Ha Total/Ha PD Density PD # Good BFF Rating Ratio Sampled - Total -Total - Good - Good - Good - Good 1 1281 0.65 12.600 16.51 41.98 2.43 3119 4.09 305.01 23.81 48.67 81.00 7.18 2189 2.87 2 86 0.90 1.125 16.89 35.56 2.49 214 0.00 22.94 26.67 63.33 80.00 9.34 214 0.00 3 52 0.56 0.945 9.52 26.46 1.40 73 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 4 36 0.09 0.600 3.33 40.00 0.49 18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 5 25 0.00 0.300 0.00 23.33 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 6 170 2.50 1.935 33.59 47.03 4.95 842 1.10 73.80 43.41 61.90 76.79 9.13 674 0.88 7 44 0.00 0.525 0.00 17.14 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 8 473 0.87 8.295 35.08 75.35 5.17 2447 3.21 277.98 58.77 51.08 87.79 7.53 2094 2.74 9a 600 0.61 6.000 13.33 35.33 1.97 1180 1.55 90.00 15.00 37.78 57.78 5.57 501 0.66 9b 804 0.58 8.100 15.93 43.46 2.35 1889 2.48 208.48 25.93 41.90 71.43 6.18 1288 1.69 10 183 0.79 1.920 17.19 39.06 2.54 464 0.61 37.17 20.31 53.85 79.49 7.94 295 0.39 11 208 0.22 2.250 4.00 22.22 0.59 123 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 12 11 0.13 0.225 4.44 40.00 0.65 7 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 13 177 0.80 2.010 15.92 35.82 2.35 416 0.54 79.26 44.78 33.33 61.11 4.92 390 0.51 14 84 0.44 0.810 4.94 16.05 0.73 61 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 15 99 0.28 0.990 7.07 32.32 1.04 103 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 16 130 0.66 1.320 14.39 31.06 2.12 276 0.36 29.55 22.73 36.67 70.00 5.41 160 0.00 17 1460 0.80 9.750 13.85 31.08 2.04 2982 3.91 336.97 23.08 38.22 55.11 5.64 1899 2.49 18 323 0.83 3.398 20.31 44.73 3.00 967 1.27 180.40 55.85 31.09 46.90 4.58 827 1.08 19 17 0.00 0.300 0.00 10.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 20 372 0.76 3.750 31.20 72.00 4.60 1712 2.24 207.58 55.80 43.97 79.81 6.48 1346 1.76 23 361 1.13 3.750 28.53 53.87 4.21 1519 1.99 144.40 40.00 55.33 80.00 8.16 1178 1.54 24 312 0.82 1.800 27.78 61.67 4.10 1278 1.68 103.99 33.33 78.33 96.67 11.55 1201 1.57 25 397 0.93 2.400 22.08 45.83 3.26 1293 1.69 99.25 25.00 75.00 105.00 11.06 1098 1.44 26 22 3.00 0.300 40.00 53.33 5.90 130 0.00 22.00 100.00 40.00 53.33 5.90 130 0.00 30 24 0.00 0.300 0.00 26.67 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 34 14 0.00 0.188 0.00 10.64 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00

Tot/Avg 7765 75.886 2.72 21113 26.72 2218.78 28.57 6.98 15484 19.62

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 25

75.489 7765 Tot/Avg 36.10 27734 6.92 50.19 3898 42.91 33308 4.29

34 0.00 0 0.00 21.28 0.00 0.188 0.00 14 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

30 0.00 83 3.44 30.00 23.33 0.300 3.50 24 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

26 0.00 118 5.36 48.48 36.36 0.165 3.00 22 0.00 118 5.36 48.48 36.36 100.00 22

25 2.30 1756 4.42 40.00 30.00 2.400 3.00 397 1.66 1269 12.78 100.00 86.67 25.00 99

24 1.91 1457 4.67 61.11 31.67 1.800 1.08 312 1.81 1380 8.85 85.56 60.00 50.00 156

23 2.62 1996 5.53 50.83 37.50 3.600 2.81 361 2.33 1775 6.94 60.39 47.06 70.83 256

20 3.78 2882 7.75 67.47 52.53 3.750 3.52 372 3.72 2838 8.20 71.11 55.63 93.00 346

19 0.00 0 0.00 16.67 0.00 0.300 0.00 17 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

18 2.68 2047 6.34 47.68 42.97 3.398 9.13 323 2.35 1795 8.89 66.90 60.31 62.47 202

17 7.47 5697 3.90 37.03 26.46 9.750 2.50 1460 5.79 4416 5.96 47.47 40.40 50.77 741

16 0.70 537 4.13 34.09 28.03 1.320 4.63 130 0.63 479 5.41 43.33 36.67 68.18 89

15 0.66 501 5.06 54.55 34.34 0.990 1.70 99 0.54 413 6.88 65.00 46.67 60.61 60

14 0.00 248 2.95 40.00 20.00 0.900 1.00 84 0.00 83 4.54 41.03 30.77 21.67 18

13 0.61 468 2.64 30.35 17.91 2.010 1.44 177 0.58 442 5.14 48.21 34.87 48.51 86

12 0.00 0 0.00 26.67 0.00 0.225 0.00 11 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0

11 0.59 447 2.15 22.50 14.58 2.400 1.84 208 0.42 319 4.92 36.00 33.33 31.25 65

10 0.88 675 3.69 42.19 25.00 1.920 1.45 183 0.77 590 4.59 51.11 31.11 70.31 129

2.03 804 9b 5.13 51.98 34.81 8.100 57.41 462 5.41 4127 3645 7.90 69.03 53.55 4.78

0.83 600 9a 2.75 41.17 18.67 6.000 33.00 198 2.17 1652 1136 5.74 53.54 38.89 1.49

1.85 473 8 6.96 72.71 47.17 8.183 81.67 386 4.31 3290 3043 7.88 80.51 53.42 3.99

0.25 44 7 0.28 9.52 1.90 0.525 0.00 0 0.00 12 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2.37 170 6 3.92 37.76 26.55 1.695 53.10 90 0.87 666 533 5.90 52.22 40.00 0.70

0.33 25 5 0.49 13.33 3.33 0.300 0.00 0 0.00 12 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.23 36 4 1.23 45.00 8.33 0.600 0.00 0 0.00 44 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.50 52 3 0.94 19.05 6.35 0.945 0.00 0 0.00 49 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2.00 86 2 4.19 42.67 28.44 1.125 41.33 36 0.47 361 327 9.20 73.12 62.37 0.43

1281 1 12.600 0.55 40.40 22.14 4183 3.27 457 5.48 46.44 35.71 6.85 65.56 4.11 3133

Sampled Ratio - Total - -Total - Good - - Good - Good - - Good -

Size Colony Ha Ha Active Total/Ha Active/Ha PD # Total # PD Density PD Ha Good Ha Rating BFF Total/Ha Total/Ha Active/Ha Good % PD # Good # PD Density PD BFF Rating Rating BFF

2005 Wolf Creek Management Area transecting summary. transecting Area Management Creek Wolf 2005 A-2. Table 26 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

Table A-3. 2006 Wolf Creek Management Area transecting summary. Colony Size Active Ha Active/Ha Total/Ha PD Density PD # Total BFF Rating Ha Good % Good Active/Ha Total/Ha PD Density PD # Good BFF Rating Ratio Sampled - Total -Total - Good - Good - Good - Good 1 1281 9.41 12.600 44.05 48.73 6.50 8322 10.91 854 66.67 61.19 67.26 9.02 7707 10.10 2 86 8.83 0.743 71.33 79.41 10.52 905 1.19 69 80.81 88.33 88.33 13.03 905 1.19 3 52 27.00 0.945 28.57 28.57 4.21 219 0.00 27 51.58 55.38 55.38 8.17 219 0.00 4 36 2.71 0.600 31.67 43.33 4.67 168 0.00 18 50.00 63.33 66.67 9.34 168 0.00 5 25 4.00 0.300 26.67 33.33 3.93 98 0.00 17 66.67 42.67 42.67 6.29 105 0.00 6 170 20.67 1.935 64.08 67.18 9.45 1607 2.11 144 84.50 71.56 75.23 10.55 1516 1.99 7 44 14.00 0.525 26.67 26.67 3.93 173 0.00 25 57.14 40.00 40.00 5.90 148 0.00 8 473 23.47 4.793 73.44 76.57 10.83 5123 6.71 455 96.09 76.22 78.83 11.24 5109 6.70 9a 600 8.72 6.000 52.33 58.33 7.72 4630 6.07 499 83.13 62.56 68.97 9.23 4602 6.03 9b 804 6.69 8.100 45.43 52.22 6.70 5387 7.06 610 75.93 55.45 62.11 8.18 4992 6.54 10 183 82.00 1.890 43.39 43.39 6.40 1171 1.53 139 76.20 52.78 52.78 7.78 1085 1.42 11 208 8.75 2.250 31.11 34.67 4.59 954 1.25 111 53.33 48.33 52.50 7.13 791 1.04 13 177 15.00 2.010 29.85 31.84 4.40 779 1.02 106 59.70 45.83 47.50 6.76 714 0.94 17 1460 14.22 9.450 40.63 43.49 5.99 8748 11.47 1043 71.43 51.41 53.78 7.58 7907 10.36 18 323 16.38 3.398 38.55 40.91 5.69 1836 2.41 212 65.56 52.53 54.32 7.75 1640 2.15 20 372 7.41 3.750 63.20 71.73 9.32 3467 4.54 365 98.00 64.22 72.93 9.47 3453 4.53 23 361 7.09 3.600 65.00 74.17 9.59 3460 4.54 331 91.67 69.70 78.79 10.28 3402 4.46 24 312 6.06 1.800 53.89 62.78 7.95 2480 3.25 260 83.33 61.33 71.33 9.04 2352 3.08 25 397 18.67 2.100 53.33 56.19 7.86 3122 4.09 170 42.86 107.78 111.11 15.89 2705 3.54 Tot/Avg 7364 66.789 7.15 52649 68.15 5455 74.06 9.08 49520 64.07 * Towns 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 26, 30, and 34 were not transected in 2006. These colonies total 401 hectares, or 5% of the prairie dog acreage in Wolf Creek. A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 27

Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada Ontario, Zoo, Toronto Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Phoenix Zoo, National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center, Wyoming/Colorado Center, Conservation Ferret Black-footed National Kentucky Garden, Zoological Louisville (wild-born) Basin, South Dakota Conata Mexico New Species Fund, Endangered Turner Browns Park, Colorado Park, Browns Colorado Zoo, Mountain Cheyenne Virginia Center, and Research Conservation Zoo National

BP FCC FCC LZG CRC TOR

PHZ CMZ TESF

SD-WB

in the North of 1927. taken Datum American are locations release *All

Key to black-footed ferret origin and precondition site facilities: site origin and precondition ferret black-footed to Key Management Area, 2001–2006 Area, Management From the Wolf Creek Creek Wolf the From FOOTED FERRET RELEASE DATA FOOTED APPENDIX B: SUMMARY OF BLACK- OF SUMMARY B: APPENDIX 28 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

Table B-1. 2001 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. Release Location (UTM) Studbook # Sex Age Head Chip Rear Chip Origin Precondition Site Release Date Zone Easting Northing 2150 F A 116*249*391 039*077*028 FCC BP 11/15/01 12 - - 2399 F A 029*112*079 042*826*615 FCC BP 11/15/01 12 - - 2427 F A 028*627*041 042*819*585 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 2453 F A 028*848*855 029*112*603 FCC BP 11/15/01 12 - - 2474 F A 029*115*568 042*780*600 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 2560 F A 029*054*813 042*317*846 FCC BP 11/15/01 12 - - 2600 F A 029*116*304 043*115*604 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3474 M K 042*783*837 043*317*846 FCC BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3518 M K 048*817*095 048*547*770 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3519 M K 048*562*603 048*380*781 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3525 M K 048*558*109 048*568*354 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3541 M K 048*535*081 048*794*876 FCC FCC 11/23/01 12 - - 3546 F K 042*768*783 049*061*569 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3553 M K 048*524*850 048*559*611 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3554 F K 048*581*028 048*570*005 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3560 M K 048*552*357 048*585*081 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3561 M K 048*773*293 048*770*346 FCC FCC 11/23/01 12 - - 3565 F K 048*580*616 048*784*083 FCC FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3658 M K 040*617*852 042*798*604 CMZ BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3659 M K 039*080*034 039*124*575 CMZ BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3660 M K 042*846*895 043*272*052 CMZ BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3675 M K 042*793*859 043*315*367 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3677 M K 042*810*315 042*817*792 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3684 M K 043*301*017 042*843*623 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3685 F K 042*825*332 040*616*546 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3686 F K 040*605*533 042*872*322 LZG BP 11/15/01 12 - - 3690 M K 043*110*572 043*315*851 LZG FCC 11/15/01 12 - - 3693 F K 042*842*263 042*848*035 LZG FCC 11/15/01 12 - - P245 F K 040*583*571 040*583*533 BP BP 11/23/01 12 - - P246 M K 040*597*513 040*586*566 BP BP 11/23/01 12 - - P252 M K 040*581*340 040*530*351 BP BP 11/23/01 12 - - P254 F K 040*523*084 040*583*342 BP BP 11/15/01 12 - - P255 F K 030*821*121 031*001*023 BP BP 11/15/01 12 - - P256 F K 031*056*811 030*827*588 BP BP 11/15/01 12 - - P258 F K 030*843*843 030*851*341 BP BP 11/15/01 12 - -

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 29

P325 BP BP 056*890*627 056*851*551 K F 4457486 704013 12 11/19/02

P317 BP BP 057*044*879 056*874*790 K F 4461867 717546 12 10/17/02

P316 BP BP 057*051*260 057*315*639 K F 4462752 716902 12 10/17/02

P315 BP BP 057*001*373 040*526*064 K M 4461988 717519 12 10/17/02

P305 BP BP 057*282*323 057*033*868 K F 4463282 716668 12 10/17/02

P303 BP BP 056*095*348 055*616*099 K F 4462516 717547 12 10/17/02

P288 BP BP 055*828*270 055*831*601 K F 4462541 717757 12 10/17/02

P285 BP BP 055*827*771 056*772*366 K F 4464376 716905 12 10/17/02

P284 BP BP 056*327*061 056*831*891 K F 4463456 716523 12 10/17/02

P281 BP BP 055*627*770 056*638*293 K M 4464252 716398 12 10/17/02

P280 BP BP 056*627*830 055*607*887 K M 4461358 710106 12 10/17/02

3776 FCC FCC 056*879*056 056*858*812 K F 4455591 703306 12 11/7/02

3775 FCC FCC 057*578*834 057*052*296 K F 4455964 703317 12 11/7/02

3774 FCC FCC 057*356*629 057*046*096 K F 4456085 703454 12 11/7/02

3773 FCC FCC 057*345*380 057*374*866 K M 4456183 703583 12 11/7/02

3772 FCC FCC 057*276*884 057*549*037 K M 4455788 703471 12 11/7/02

3771 FCC FCC 057*545*625 057*368*614 K M 4455971 703552 12 11/7/02

3770 FCC FCC 057*081*017 056*847*323 K M 4456008 703684 12 11/7/02

F 3716 048*552*893 043*261*848 K 8/15/02 FCC TOR 4467962 711117 12

M 3715 048*794*845 042*880*124 K 8/15/02 FCC TOR 4467557 711192 12

F 3060 048*542*537 032*619*301 A 8/22/02 FCC CRC 4467561 711165 12

F 3039 032*620*074 032*624*852 A 8/22/02 BP PHZ 4467097 711463 12

M 3000 032*627*548 032*614*841 A 8/22/02 BP PHZ 4467097 711463 12

F 2958 122*559*263 032*626*032 A 10/17/02 BP TOR 4461387 709851 12

F 2651 122*155*183 029*025*092 A 10/17/02 BP TOR 4462985 716748 12

F 2552 029*078*032 042*838*809 A 11/7/02 BP TOR 4455732 703369 12

F 2346 049*057*569 114*549*493 A 11/19/02 FCC FCC 4455674 703346 12

F 2334 A 043*121*296 029*110*564 LZG BP 12 8/15/02 711339 4467376

Zone Easting Northing

Studbook # Studbook Age Sex Head Chip Head Origin Chip Rear Precondition Site Precondition Release Date Release

Release Location (UTM) Location Release

2002 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. release ferret black-footed Creek Wolf 2002 B-2. Table 30 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure B-1.

Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Creek Management Area –2002.

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 31

042*771*857 K M 3994 4455342 707257 12 9/16/03 CRC CRC 042*805*043

057*522*117 K F 3993 4454856 704992 12 9/16/03 TESF PHZ 056*894*059

056*888*543 K F 3992 4455168 706239 12 9/16/03 TESF PHZ 057*058*256

3990 TESF PHZ 057*342*283 048*532*788 K M 4456314 708720 12 9/16/03

3989 TESF PHZ 057*003*848 047*342*602 K F 4457368 706722 12 9/16/03

3987 TESF PHZ 057*052*882 047*370*779 K F 4458752 706520 12 9/16/03

3983 TESF PHZ 056*855*276 047*514*059 K F 4455002 706992 12 9/16/03

3981 TESF PHZ 057*540*550 047*265*372 K M 4457501 707015 12 9/16/03

3687 BP LZG 043*311*603 042*839*337 A F - - 12 10/30/03

3610 BP CRC 041*009*532 042*870*771 A F 4467622 711261 12 9/24/03

3471 BP FCC 042*791*874 041*012*527 A F 4461952 715611 12 10/14/03

3301 TESF PHZ 057*373*100 039*064*825 A F 4455136 707539 12 9/16/03

3298 TESF PHZ 056*868*376 039*101*292 A M 4456050 706748 12 9/16/03

3285 BP TOR 039*256*344 039*104*800 A F 4465308 708791 12 8/16/03

3279 BP TOR 039*074*361 039*098*556 A F 4461187 711703 12 10/14/03

3276 BP TOR 039*068*013 039*069*101 A F 4462725 716176 12 8/16/03

3272 BP BP 011*047*016 011*070*258 A F 4464207 713693 12 10/14/03

3271 TESF TOR 010*575*637 010*287*099 A F 4459159 707305 12 9/16/03

3259 TESF TOR 010*353*824 049*073*328 A M 4455059 705848 12 9/16/03

3236 BP FCC 057*551*782 039*080*086 A F 4464716 716108 12 8/16/03

3204 BP FCC 056*869*637 040*524*580 A F 4464403 716405 12 8/16/03

F 3199 057*270*345 027*370*011 A 8/16/03 BP FCC 4465912 708641 12

F 3198 057*276*058 027*521*288 A 8/16/03 BP FCC 4462630 711731 12

F 3175 048*790*621 056*857*336 A 9/16/03 TESF FCC 4456650 708665 12

F 03-135 054*534*328 054*020*845 K 10/10/03 SD-WB SD 4462880 716743 12

M 03-134 054*033*871 055*058*118 K 10/10/03 SD-WB SD 4464368 716985 12

M 03-113 055*282*297 054*539*301 K 10/10/03 SD-WB SD 4463024 716776 12

M 03-103 046*391*338 046*076*521 K 10/10/03 SD-WB SD 4462695 716774 12

M 03-094 046*295*290 046*295*280 K 10/10/03 SD-WB SD 4462565 716998 12

F 03-093 046*295*857 046*264*867 K 10/10/03 SD-WB SD 4464407 717437 12

M 03-079 K 046*286*578 046*893*845 SD SD-WB 12 10/10/03 716478 4462620

F 03-062 K 046*017*360 046*372*000 SD SD-WB 12 10/10/03 716958 4462387

M 03-056 K 046*326*030 046*113*280 SD SD-WB 12 10/10/03 716634 4462579

F 03-051 K 046*029*313 046*011*600 SD SD-WB 12 10/10/03 716529 4464441

Zone Easting Northing

Studbook # Studbook Age Sex Head Chip Head Origin Chip Rear Precondition Site Precondition Release Date Release

Release Location (UTM) Location Release

Table B-3. Table 2003 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. release ferret black-footed Creek Wolf 2003 32 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

Table B-3. 2003 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data (continued). Release Location (UTM) Studbook # Sex Age Head Chip Rear Chip Origin Precondition Site Release Date Zone Easting Northing 3995 M K 043*105*564 042*856*105 CRC CRC 9/16/03 12 706634 4456293 3996 M K 042*797*010 043*314*895 CRC CRC 9/16/03 12 707371 4458877 3997 F K 042*846*636 043*115*276 CRC CRC 9/16/03 12 707248 4457409 3998 F K 043*289*042 057*585*598 CRC CRC 9/16/03 12 706530 4456156 3999 F K 042*789*857 042*833*803 CRC CRC 9/16/03 12 706789 4456176 4000 M K 057*351*526 056*847*349 FCC FCC 9/16/03 12 706928 4459394 4001 M K 057*364*784 056*856*260 FCC FCC 9/16/03 12 706901 4459085 4002 F K 057*266*553 057*257*123 FCC FCC 9/16/03 12 706550 4455948 P385 F K 040*531*789 040*550*548 BP BP 9/24/03 12 713736 4464228 P386 F K 040*604*045 040*538*341 BP BP 9/24/03 12 711675 4461640 P387 M K 040*526*592 057*057*059 BP BP 10/14/03 12 711893 4460579 P388 M K 040*601*061 040*553*882 BP BP 10/14/03 12 715537 4461804 P389 F K 040*348*021 040*615*341 BP BP 10/14/03 12 708592 4465642 P390 F K 040*613*376 040*588*801 BP BP 10/14/03 12 711321 4467802 P391 M K 040*584*808 040*539*355 TOR BP 10/14/03 12 710731 4466738 P392 M K 040*343*555 040*589*866 BP BP 10/14/03 12 715705 4461389 P393 M K 040*589*080 040*614*281 BP BP 10/14/03 12 708181 4465824 P394 M K 040*604*884 040*542*575 BP BP 10/14/03 12 713815 4464543 P395 F K 040*591*880 040*604*053 BP BP 10/14/03 12 715612 4462120 P396 F K 040*583*325 040*580*553 BP BP 10/14/03 12 710744 4466589 P397 F K 040*535*347 040*580*561 BP BP 10/14/03 12 708645 4465986 P399 M K 040*529*831 040*597*047 BP BP 10/14/03 12 715769 4461389 P400 M K 040*597*067 040*615*871 BP BP 10/14/03 12 713815 4464543 P401 F K 040*614*863 040*535*321 BP BP 10/14/03 12 - - P402 F K 040*609*782 040*608*855 BP BP 10/14/03 12 711729 4461981 P404 M K 040*528*870 040*564*871 BP BP 10/30/03 12 706726 4456129 P405 M K 040*546*281 040*600*371 BP BP 11/19/03 12 704996 4454897 P406 F K 040*595*116 040*559*357 BP BP 10/30/03 12 706743 4458890 P407 F K 040*618*545 040*604*569 BP BP 10/30/03 12 706850 4456269 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 33 Black-footed ferret release locations within the Wolf Creek Management Area – 2003. Area Management Creek Wolf within the locations release ferret Black-footed

Figure B-2. Figure 34 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006

Table B-4. 2004 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. Release Location (UTM) Studbook # Sex Age Head Chip Rear Chip Origin Precondition Site Release Date Zone Easting Northing 3499 F A 042*836*037 069*359*314 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 717442 4463856 4383 M K 069*053*849 070*001*068 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 717326 4460820 4384 M K 068*882*049 069*336*614 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 715569 4461859 4385 M K 069*034*605 069*083*872 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 708830 4458342 4386 F K 069*532*027 069*559*288 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 706895 4457687 4387 F K 069*598*053 069*050*541 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 711621 4458190 4389 M K 069*084*627 069*336*379 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 716413 4462097 4390 M K 069*369*593 069*343*578 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 711378 4458135 4391 F K 040*527*880 069*035*604 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 716670 4462147 4392 F K 069*035*872 069*342*631 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 707276 4454937 4393 F K 069*829*093 069*354*125 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 709726 4457672 4394 M K 069*054*866 068*824*623 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 717823 4462771 4395 M K 070*111*582 068*883*111 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 709651 4457627 4397 F K 070*030*020 069*038*104 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 711974 4455263 4400 M K 069*331*842 069*053*599 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 709601 4457986 4404 M K 069*338*602 069*057*623 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 710206 4456022 4405 M K 068*830*316 069*034*860 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 707139 4455014 4406 M K 069*041*620 069*032*887 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 711711 4458257 4410 M K 069*340*520 069*363*011 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 706796 4457697 4411 F K 068*893*114 069*105*027 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 715354 4460753 4412 F K 069*330*840 069*033*342 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 708865 4458786 4413 F K 069*081*840 068*886*579 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 711723 4455382 4414 F K 069*256*854 068*842*326 FCC BP 10/6/04 12 710500 4456274 4445 M K 069*807*553 077*100*803 FCC FCC 10/22/04 12 710863 4465471 4452 M K 069*076*092 069*354*798 FCC FCC 10/8/04 12 706492 4458803 4457 F K 068*830*561 068*828*804 FCC FCC 10/8/04 12 711108 4468391 4472 M K 069*823*263 076*084*597 FCC FCC 10/22/04 12 710044 4461629 4481 M K 070*020*817 069*065*628 FCC FCC 10/8/04 12 706501 4458754 4485 M K 070*282*799 076*876*273 FCC FCC 10/22/04 12 710688 4465250 4495 M K 065*867*512 077*095*007 FCC FCC 10/22/04 12 710276 4460707 4500 M K 066*005*835 069*364*890 FCC FCC 10/8/04 12 706715 4459030 4501 M K 070*296*272 069*074*024 FCC FCC 10/8/04 12 711264 4467588 4507 F K 069*877*565 069*338*290 FCC FCC 10/8/04 12 706719 4458867 4523 F K 066*346*061 076*884*834 FCC FCC 10/22/04 12 708907 4461258

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 35

F 4757 069*351*273 077*059*273 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4462433 711617 12

F 4745 068*843*557 077*120*290 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4461316 709896 12

F 4741 069*025*283 076*818*586 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4458938 706721 12

M 4739 068*829*861 076*783*575 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4461320 709847 12

M 4736 069*792*583 077*087*836 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4458939 706721 12

M 4680 069*529*314 077*111*335 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4461909 711778 12

M 4671 069*267*070 077*007*062 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4462447 711725 12

M 4636 069*336*329 077*104*058 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4461459 709648 12

F 4634 069*272*095 076*836*052 K 11/16/04 FCC FCC 4460968 711877 12

F 4539 K 068*842*088 066*347*337 FCC FCC 12 10/8/04 711181 4467758

Zone Easting Northing

Studbook # Studbook Age Sex Head Chip Head Origin Chip Rear Precondition Site Precondition Release Date Release

Release Location (UTM) Location Release

2004 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data (continued). data release ferret black-footed Creek Wolf 2004 B-4. Table 36 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure B-3.

Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Creek Management Area –2004.

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 37

4997 BP FCC 107*279*591 041*314*559 K M 4455486 703425 12 11/2/05

4954 BP CMZ 107*266*614 107*121*294 K M 4455511 703222 12 10/26/05

4951 BP FCC 107*273*307 041*291*001 K F 4463357 718219 12 10/26/05

4948 BP FCC 107*122*768 041*337*054 K M 4464316 717294 12 10/26/05

4944 BP CMZ 107*289*629 107*285*090 K M 4458853 717586 12 10/26/05

4934 BP FCC 107*270*354 041*517*828 K F 4459655 717398 12 10/26/05

4911 BP FCC 107*296*886 040*598*268 K M 4463732 714943 12 10/19/05

4899 BP FCC 107*127*383 040*580*263 K M 4458830 717546 12 10/19/05

4898 BP FCC 107*120*346 040*607*127 K F 4463293 715124 12 10/19/05

M 4895 107*306*071 040*595*306 K 10/19/05 BP FCC 4463891 715333 12

F 4884 107*119*029 041*338*553 K 10/19/05 BP FCC 4459497 717225 12

F 4883 107*265*632 041*335*582 K 10/19/05 BP FCC 4458881 717843 12

M 4875 107*280*546 040*534*343 K 10/19/05 BP FCC 4459252 717186 12

M 4868 107*298*033 041*361*849 K 10/13/05 BP FCC 4458927 707417 12

M 4859 107*304*824 041*319*839 K 10/13/05 BP FCC 4459045 707110 12

M 4855 107*258*008 041*326*561 K 10/13/05 BP FCC 4459353 706851 12

F 4854 107*112*119 041*362*049 K 10/13/05 BP FCC 4464228 716966 12

M 4847 107*265*515 041*381*541 K 10/13/05 BP FCC 4464537 716925 12

M 4845 K 107*313*015 040*257*340 FCC BP 12 10/13/05 716977 4464372

Zone Easting Northing

Studbook # Studbook Age Sex Head Chip Head Origin Chip Rear Precondition Site Precondition Release Date Release

Release Location (UTM) Location Release

2005 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. release ferret black-footed Creek Wolf 2005 B-5. Table 38 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure B-4.

Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Creek Management Area –2005.

A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 39

5442 BP FCC 074*310*257 073*814*546 K F 4464611 716420 12 11/7/06

5441 BP FCC 073*310*845 073*633*845 K F 4463404 716395 12 11/9/06

5439 BP FCC 074*041*373 098*033*527 K M 4457565 709302 12 11/7/06

5436 BP FCC 074*266*024 073*328*074 K F 4464748 716971 12 11/7/06

5431 BP FCC 074*114*808 073*872*113 K F 4457784 709414 12 11/7/06

5425 BP FCC 073*837*891 074*084*316 K M 4459512 718356 12 10/24/06

5414 BP FCC 073*355*532 074*083*816 K M 4462410 716415 12 10/24/06

5340 BP LZG 081*377*519 098*001*259 K M 4459812 717422 12 10/24/06

5330 BP LZG 081*379*016 107*109*259 K M 4459592 718562 12 10/24/06

5300 BP LZG 081*377*280 107*110*376 K M 4457188 714285 12 10/24/06

5255 BP FCC 107*263*559 107*112*854 K F 4462242 716603 12 10/24/06

5248 BP FCC 098*637*592 098*090*066 K F 4455506 703209 12 10/8/06

5247 BP FCC 098*339*106 098*878*799 K M 4455405 703166 12 10/8/06

5237 BP FCC 098*363*872 098*026*117 K M 4458713 706444 12 10/8/06

5235 BP CMZ 081*377*006 102*581*009 K F 4462523 716263 12 10/24/06

5221 BP FCC 091*805*366 098*886*023 K M 4456037 703957 12 10/8/06

5219 BP FCC 099*092*588 098*789*065 K M 4456429 710578 12 10/8/06

5212 BP LZG 081*378*891 081*377*296 K F 4455679 703543 12 10/24/06

M 5207 081*378*831 042*788*062 K 10/24/06 BP LZG 4456744 715385 12

M 5179 098*875*795 098*606*839 K 9/26/06 BP FCC 4463971 715343 12

F 5177 107*293*043 074*055*114 K 9/26/06 BP FCC 4463301 715137 12

M 5172 097*824*564 099*090*858 K 9/26/06 BP FCC 4457047 715347 12

M 5167 056*870*616 073*621*841 K 9/26/06 BP FCC 4456265 714079 12

F 5153 057*127*048 081*087*782 K 9/26/06 BP FCC 4459237 717200 12

M 5144 107*112*307 107*122*628 K 10/8/06 BP FCC 4458864 706733 12

M 5139 107*305*320 107*278*533 K 9/26/06 BP FCC 4458730 716676 12

M 5123 081*377*531 081*377*294 K 10/24/06 BP LZG 4455840 710258 12

F 4008 A 056*859*326 057*344*620 TOR BP 12 9/26/06 713910 4456751

Zone Easting Northing

Studbook # Studbook Age Sex Head Chip Head Origin Chip Rear Precondition Site Precondition Release Date Release

Release Location (UTM) Location Release

2006 Wolf Creek black-footed ferret release data. release ferret black-footed Creek Wolf 2006 B-6. Table 40 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Figure B-5.

Black-footed ferret release locations withinthe Wolf Creek Management Area –2006. A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 41 - - - - J.E. Roelle, B.J. B.J. Roelle, J.E. In J.E. Roelle, B.J. Miller, J.L. Godbey, Godbey, J.L. Miller, B.J. Roelle, J.E. progress and continuing challenges. U.S. U.S. challenges. and continuing progress Geological Survey Scientific Investiga p. VA. tions Report 2005-5293. Reston, 129-140. 2006a. Evaluating habitat for black-foot for habitat 2006a. Evaluating model. of an existing revision ed ferrets: In Recovery of Biggins (editors). and D.E. and progress ferret: the black-footed Geological U.S. challenges. continuing ReportSurvey Scientific Investigations 143-150. p. VA. 2005-5293. Reston, prefer Habitat Livieri. 2006b. T.M. and competition in and intraspecific ences ferrets. black-footed Biggins(edi and D.E. Godbey, J.L. Miller, ferret: Recovery of the black-footed tors). Biggins, D.E., J.M. Lockhart, and J.L. Godbey. Godbey. J.L. and Lockhart, J.M. D.E., Biggins, M.R. Matchett, Godbey, J.L. D.E., Biggins, - J.L. J.L. In Luce, P.E. Marinari, M.R. Matchett, and Marinari, M.R. Matchett, P.E. Luce, rearing effect of The 1998. Vargas. A. methods on survival of reintroduced Wildlife Journal of ferrets. black-footed 62:643-653. Management Oakleaf, A.H. Farmer, R. Crete, and A. R. Crete, A.H. Farmer, Oakleaf, evaluat for 1993. A technique Dood. habitat. ferret ing black-footed and Miller, B.J. Biggins, D.E. Oldemeyer, of prairie Management (editors). R. Crete reintroduction the for dog complexes Biological ferret. of the black-footed Service, Wildlife and Fish Report 13, U.S. 73-88. DC. p. Washington, Biggins, D.E., J.L. Godbey, L.R. Hanebury, B. B. L.R. Hanebury, Godbey, J.L. D.E., Biggins, Biggins, D.E, B.J. Miller, L.R. Hanebury, B. B. L.R. Hanebury, Miller, B.J. D.E, Biggins,

J.L. J.L. - In Mustela nigripes Mustela

of the black-footed ferret. Biological ferret. of the black-footed Service, Wildlife and Fish Report 13, U.S. 28-37. DC. p. Washington, its relevance to prairie dog popula prairie to its relevance ferret. tions and the black-footed and Miller, B.J. Biggins, D.E. Oldemeyer, of prairie Management (editors). R. Crete the reintroduction for dog complexes black-footed ferret, ferret, black-footed and Bachman), 1851. Great (Audubon Memoirs 8:11-62. Basin Naturalist L. Richardson. 1986. Paleobiology, 1986. Paleobiology, L. Richardson. of the and systematics biogeography, Barnes, A.M. 1993. A review of plague and A.M. 1993. A review Barnes, Anderson, E., S.C. Forrest, T.W. Clark, and T.W. E.,Anderson, S.C. Forrest, LITERATURE CITED LITERATURE 42 A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 Clark, Clark, T.W., T.M. Campbell, M.H.Schroeder, Campbell, T.M., III,D. Biggins, S.Forrest, Biggins, D.E., J.L. Godbey, M.R.Matchett, Biggins, D.E., J.L. Godbey, T.M. Livieri, ranging populations: of discussion Management, Cheyenne, Wyoming. 55pp. No.Bulletin 1.U.S. Bureau ofLand ferrets. Wyoming BLM Wildlife Technical of methodsfor locating black-footed and L.Richardson. 1984.Handbook p. 24.1-24.7. Cheyenne. andFishGame Department, September 18-19,1984. Wyoming proceedings, Laramie, Wyoming, (editors). Black-footed ferret workshop ferrets. method to locate andstudyblack-footed and T.W. 1985.Spotlighting asa Clark. Report 2005-5293. Reston, VA. p. 155-174. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations progress andcontinuing challenges. U.S. tors). Recoveryoftheblack-footed ferret: Miller, J.L. Godbey, andD.E. (edi Biggins minimum standards. alternative methodsandrecommended ferrets duringreestablishment offree- Marinari. 2006d. Monitoring black-footed L.R. Hanebury, T.M. Livieri,andP.E. 2005-5293. Reston, VA. p. 191-200. Investigations Scientific Survey Report continuing challenges. U.S. Geological the black-footed ferret: progress and and D.E. (editors). Biggins Recoveryof In adult andyoung black-footed ferrets. Postrelease movements of andsurvival M.R. Matchett, andB.D. Bibles. 2006c. J.E. Roelle, B.J. Miller, J.L. Godbey, In S.H.Anderson andD.B. Inkley In J.E. Roelle, B.J.

Cully, J.F., Jr., andE.S. Williams. 2001.Inter Jachowski, D.S. 2007.Resource selection Hoogland, J.L. 1981. The evolution ofcolo Hillman, C.N.and T.W. 1980. Clark. Fuller, T.K., andP.R. 2001.Carnivore Sievert. Forrest, S.C.,D.E. Biggins, L.Richardson, Forrest, S.C., T.W. L.Richardson, Clark, specific comparisons ofsylvatic plague 61pp. Thesis, UniversityColumbia. ofMissouri, spatial distribution ofprairie dogs. M.S. by black-footed ferrets inrelation to the and prairie dogs(Sciuridae: andblack-tailed inwhite-tailed niality nigripes Cambridge, United Kingdom.p. 163-178. Cambridgeservation. University Press, and R.K. Wayne (editors). Carnivore con S.M.Funk,Gittleman, D.W. Macdonald, of changesinprey availability. demography andtheconsequences ogy 69:261-273. ming, 1981-1985.JournalofMammal (Mustela nigripes) attributes for theblack-footed ferret stone, andE.T. Thorne. 1988.Population T.W. Clark, T.M. Campbell, Fager K.A. Wyoming. 49pp. Bureau ofLand Management, Cheyenne, BLM Wildlife Technical No. Bulletin 2.U.S. reintroduction considerations. Wyoming ferret habitat: somemanagement and and T.M. Campbell. 1985.Black-footed 82:894-905. in prairie dogs. Journal ofMammalogy C. ludovicianus . Mammalian Species 126:1-3. . MammalianSpecies at Meeteetse, Wyo ). Ecology 62:252-272. Cynomys leucurus In Mustela J.L. ------

Lockhart, J.M., E.T. Thorne, andD.R. Gober. Linder, R.L.,R.B. Dahlgren, andC.N.Hill U.S. Fish and Wildlife 1988.Black- Service. Richardson, L., T.W. S.C.Forrest, Clark, and Maxfield, B.D. Undated.review Summary Matchett, R.1999.Black-footed ferret 2005-5293. Reston, VA. p. 6-19. Investigations Scientific Survey Report continuing challenges. U.S. Geological of theblack-footed ferret: progress and bey, andD.E. (editors). Biggins Recovery future. its challengesaffecting andpolitical ical of theblack-footed ferret andthebiolog 2006. A historical on perspective recovery p. 22-37. andFish, ofGame Fe. Santa Department southwestern United States. New Mexico on rare andendangered wildlife ofthe dog interrelationships. man. 1972.Black-footed ferret–prairie Wildlife Denver, Service, Colorado. 154pp. footed ferret recovery plan.U.S. Fish and NaturalistMidland 117:225-239. at Meeteetse, Wyoming. The American black-footed ferrets T.M. Campbell. 1987. Winter ecology of Wildlife Resources, Lake Salt City. 22pp. Mammals Program. of Utah Division in Utah, 1999–2003. Wildlife Section, of black-footed ferret reintroduction Montana. 38pp. Fish and Wildlife Lewistown, Service, and5-yearannual report summary. U.S. Refuges, PhillipsCounty, Montana. 1998 Charles M.RussellNational Wildlife and on theULBend recovery activities In J.E. Roelle, B.J. Miller, J.L. God (Mustela nigripes) In Symposium -

- - A REVIEW OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET REINTRODUCTION IN NORTHWEST COLORADO, 2001–2006 43

(Mustela (Mustela (Mustela nigripes) (Mustela . Journal of Wildlife Diseases Wildlife . Journal of E.T. Thorne, and A. Boerger-Fields. 1994. and A. Boerger-Fields. Thorne, E.T. ferret black-footed Plague in a nigripes) 30:581-585. in distemper 1988. Canine Belitsky. D.W. ferrets black-footed Wildlife Journal of Wyoming. from Diseases 24:385-398. reintroduction ferret black-footed for plan and Creek and management—Wolf Moffat Basin Areas, Management Coyote 64pp. Colorado. and Rio Counties, Blanco Williams, E.S., K. Mills, D.R. Kwiatkowski, Kwiatkowski, D.R. E.S., K. Mills, Williams, and Appel, M.J.G. Thorne, E.S., E.T. Williams, 2001. A cooperative Group. Work Creek Wolf -

. Accessed . Accessed E. Hollowed. 2005. Black-footed ferret ferret Black-footed 2005. E. Hollowed. Wolf detection detection by dogs in the 2005. May CO, area, reintroduction Creek Dogs Conservation, for Working 12pp. Montana. Bozeman, tion in Arizona, 1996–2001. Nongame Nongame 1996–2001. tion in Arizona, Program Wildlife and Endangered Report Game 222. Arizona Technical Department,and Fish Phoenix. 23pp. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/ 25, 2007. April Review of black-footed ferret reintroduc ferret Review of black-footed Western Regional Climate Center. 2007. Center. Regional Climate Western and A., A. Hurt, L. Belmonte, Whitelaw, Van Pelt, W.E. and R.A. Winstead. 2003. Winstead. and R.A. W.E. Pelt, Van

The mention of company names, trade names, or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the Federal Government. the Federal use by for or recommendation endorsement products does not constitute or commercial names, trade names, of company mention The Division of Wildlife. 1995. A cooperative 1995. A cooperative Wildlife. Division of black-footed plan for management Area, Management Little Snake ferrets, 97pp. Colorado. ferrets in northwestern Colorado and Colorado in northwestern ferrets Federal northeastern rule. Final Utah. 63:52824-52841. Register and Colorado Management, Land Endangered and threatened wildlife and and wildlife and threatened Endangered of a nonessential establishment plants: of black-footed population experimental U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, of Bureau Wildlife and Fish U.S. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Wildlife and Fish U.S.