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Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Effort Progresses Toward Reintroduction

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Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Effort Progresses Toward Reintroduction January 1991 Vol. XVI No. 1 Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Bulletin Washington, D. C. 20240 Black-footed Ferret Recovery Effort Progresses Toward Reintroduction Many encouraging events have oc- curred since our last update on the black-footed ferret recovery program (see Bulletin Vol. XIV, No. 7). Efforts of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Depart- ment, other Federal, State, and Native American agencies, and private groups to restore the Endangered black- footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) in the wild are gathering steam. Captive breeding, research, and investigations of possible reintroduction sites are proceeding in a number of" areas. As a result of these recovery activities, the Service now anticipates that black- footed ferrets will be reintroduced into the wild in the fall of 1991. The last known population of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in the wild was discover- ed in 1981 in a white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) complex near fi/leteetse, Wyoming. In 1986, after disease struck the colony, the last survivors were taken for captive breeding. Captive Breeding The entire captive population of 180 ferrets (fall 1990) descends from 18 of the Meteetse animals. All known black-footed ferrets are now in captivity. The worlds black- At the Sybille Unit, several other The Henry Doorly Zoo had a suc- footed ferret population reached 180 noteworthy events have been recorded cessful breeding season in 1990, un- anim;ils this fall, up from 118 animals in the captive breeding effort. Sibe- like 1989 when the ferrets did not in 1989, through captive breeding rian polecats (Mustela eversmanni) whelp as expected. Successful breed- efforts at the Sybille Wildlife Re- played an important role in the sur- ing resulted from a better understand- search and Conservation Unit near vival of several black-footed ferret kits. ing of the life and reproducdve cycles Wheatland, Wyoming, the National In 1989 and 1990, surrogate polecat of these animals, the introduction of Zoological Park's Conservation and mothers, bred at the same time as the new and better diets (including the Research Center at Front Royal, Vir- ferrets, nursed the ferret kits when the addition of vitamin E), and the appli- ginia, and the Henry Doorly Zoo in black-footed ferret mothers failed to cation of new techniques, including Omaha, Nebraska. A total of 63 kits lactate, hi 1990, for the first time at light-cycle manipulation to induce were added to the three captive popu- Sybille, a black-footed ferret kit suc- early estrus in black-footed ferret fe- lations, of which 50 were added to the cessfully nursed from a black-footed males. Also in 1990, two black- Sybille population, 2 to the Omaha ferret that was not its mother. Older footed ferrets at the zoo were success- population, and 11 to the Front Royal female ferrets that failed to breed and fully subjected to root canal surgery population. The total captive popula- viable females that refused to accept after breaking the tips off their canine tion is rapidly approaching the level in males were also artificially insemi- teeth. the recovery plan when ferrets can be- nated in 1990, but this effort was un- Two more facilities are now partici- gin to be reintroduced into the wild. successful. (fontimied on page 3) 1 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XVI No. 1 (1991) tion as a Habitat (Conservation Area for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurinn). This action was recommended in the Interagency Sci- entific Committee's 1990 report, "A Con,servation Strategy for the North- ern Spotted Owl," popularly known as the "Jack Ward Fhomas Report" (see Bulletin Vol. XV, No. 7). The Reser- vation could provide a key link, con- necting suitable spotted owl habitat between Washington's Cascades physi- ographic province and the Olympic Peninsula. The Service has offered to a.ssist the Army in conducting habitat Regional endangered species staffers Station staff met in late November have reported the following news: with Fort Lewis Military Reservation inventories and owl surveys. • * • Region 1 - The Fish and Wildlife biologists and foresters to discuss the Service's Olympia, Washington, Field possible designation of the Reserva- The Boise, Idaho, Field Station is providing technical assistance to na- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, Twin ture film producer Jim Dutcher, who Washington, D.C. 20240 Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); James C. plans to produce a feature film on Gritman, Regional Director: John Blankenship, John Turner, Director Assistant Regional Director: William F. gray wolves (Canis lupus) for the ABC (202-208-4717) Harrison, Acting Endangered Species Spe- television network. The film is sched- Ralph O. Morgenweck cialist. Assistant Director for Fish uled for broadcast in 1994. Mr. and Wildlife Enhancement Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal BIdg., 75 Dutcher's film should aid wolf recov- (202-208-4646) Spring Street, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303 (404- ery by providing accurate information Larry R. Shannon, Chief, 331-3580): James W. Pulliam, Regional Di- Division of Endangered Species to millions of television viewers. rector: Tom Olds, Assistant Regional Direc- * • * (703-358-2171) tor: David Flemming, Endangered Species William E. Knapp, Chief, Specialist. Division of Habitat Conservation In November and December, biolo- (703-358-2161) Region 5, One Gateway Center, Suite 700, gists from the Service's Sacramento, Marshall P. Jones, Chief, Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617-965-5100); Office of Management Authority Ronald E. Lambertson, Regional Director: California, Field Station, San Fran- (703-358-2093) Ralph Pisapia, Assistant Regional Director: cisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, John J, Doggett, Chief, Paul Nickerson, Endangered Species Spe- and California Department of Fish Division of Law Enforcement cialist. (703-358-1949) and Came conducted a winter popula- TECHNICAL BULLETIN Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal tion census of the FLndangered Cali- Michael Bender, Editor Center; Denver, CO 80225 (303-236-7920); Michael Rees, Assistant Editor Galen Buterbaugh, RegionalDirectorHoben E. fornia clapper rail {Rallus longirostris (703-358-2166) Jacobsen, Assistant Regional Director: Larry obsoletus) in major marshes of South Shanks, Endangered Species Specialist. Regional Offices San Francisco Bay. Although Califor- Region 1, Eastside Federal Complex, 911 N.S.11 th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181 Region 7, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK nia clapper rail populations still ap- 99503 (907-786-3542); Walter O. Stieglitz, (503-231-6118); Marvin Plenert, Regional Di- pear stable along the western shore- Regional Director: Rowan Gould, Assistant rector: Dale Hall, Assistant Regional Director; Regional Director: Ron Garrett, Endangered line, with red foxes (Vidpes vulpes) ap- Bob Ruesink, Endangered Species Specialist. Species Specialist. parently not yet established there, Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM Region 8, (FWS Research and Development populations along the eastern shore- 87103 (505-766-2321); Michael J. Spear, nationwide), Washington, D.C. 20240; John line within the ReRige continue to de- Regional Director, James A. Young, Assistant D. Buffington, Regional Director: Al Sherk, Regional Director: George Divine, Acting En- Endangered Species Specialist (703-358- cline. No more than 30 California dangered Species Specialist. 1710). clapper rails were observed in Dum- barton Point Marsh and 50 were U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions ob.served in Mowry Slough. Histori- Region 1: California, Hawaii. Idaho, Nevada. Oregon. Washington, American Samoa, Commonwealth otthe Northern Mariana Islands. Guam, and the Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona. New Mexico. Oklahoma, and Texas. Region 3: Illinois, Indiana, cally, these marshes respectively sup- Iowa. Michigan. Minnesota. Missouri. Ohio, and Wisconsin. Region 4: Alabama. Arkansas, Flonda. Georgia. Kentucky. Louisiana. Mississippi. North Carolina. South Carolina. Tennessee. Puerto Rico and the U .S. Virgin Islands. Region 5: Connecticut. Delaware. ported over 200 and over 150 rails. District of Columbia. Maine. Maryland, Massachusetts. New Hampshire. New Jersey. New York. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. * * * Vermont. Virginia, and West Virginia. Region 6: Colorado. Kansas. Montana. Nebraska. North Dakota. South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Region 7: Alaska. Region 8: Research and Development nationwide. Region 9: Washington, D.C., Office. On December 11, the U.S. Forest The Endangered Species Technical Bulletin is published on recyclable paper consisting of Service, Idaho Department of Lands, at least 50% recycled wastepaper. People who do not keep back issues are urged to recycle and Washington-Idaho Forest Indus- the paper, pass them along to an interested person, or donate them to a local school or library. (continued on page 5) 2 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XVI No. 1 (1991) Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Team is Announced Secretary of the Interior Manuel Knowles, Deputy Under Secretary, as for the Northern Spotted Owl, U.S. Lujan has announced the creation of a Team Coordinator [Bulletin Vol. XV, Forest Service) l6-member Northern Spotted Owl No. 11). The Team will be under the • Richard Holthausen (Forest & Recovery Team, which has the chal- authority of the Secretary's Office. Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Forest Service) lenging task of writing a plan to se- The newly announced Team mem- • John Beuter (Deputy Assistant
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