Conserving the Black-Footed Ferret

Photo by Minden Pictures Shattil & Rozinski

Partnering with Montana’s Northern Cheyenne Reservation

Just 30 years ago, black-footed ferrets were thought to be extinct. But the discovery of a last population near Meeteetse, Wyoming 30 years ago jumpstarted a recovery program that has reintroduced 2,600 of the predators back to the wild.

Lincoln Park Zoo has been a key partner in this recovery. Research by zoo scientists has produced key insights for maintaining the health of a population stemming from just 18 founders. Now, thanks to a grant from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Endowment Fund, zoo scientists and educators are collaborating with Montana’s Northern Cheyenne Reservation in an ambitious community conservation partnership.

The approach is two-pronged. Zoo researchers are providing conservation training and equipment to enable local partners to monitor a ferret population that was reintroduced in 2008. At the same time, zoo educators are partnering with the community to integrate the conservation effort into the local school curriculum. Teacher training, inquiry-based education programs and hands-on fieldwork opportunities will strengthen relationships between the partners and boost prospects for the ferrets’ recovery.

This ongoing collaboration will provide a new model—not only for the recovery of endangered species but also for enlisting communities as partners in conservation.

Staff

		Rachel Santymire, Ph. D. Director, Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology				Rachel Bergren Vice President for Education
		Seth Magle, Ph.D. Director, Urban Wildlife Institute

Multimedia

On the Plains
A black-footed ferret surveys the scene after emerging from a burrow.

Upward Bound Scientist Rachel Santymire shares rhino research and “camera traps” with students in Montana’s Northern Cheyenne Reservation, part of the program to enlist them as partners in the conservation.

A Smoky Arrival at Northern Cheyenne Reservation Researcher Rachel Santymire braves wildfires to return to Montana’s Northern Cheyenne Reservation to work with the community to conserve endangered black-footed ferrets.

A Community Effort Vice President of Education Rachel Bergren traveled to Montana to lead a community workshop. By partnering with teachers, the zoo is boosting efforts to conserve endangered black-footed ferrets in the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

Ferrets, Dogs and Digital Donuts Zoo scientists and educators give us an update from the field, detailing work on the ground to conserve black-footed ferrets in Montana's Northern Cheyenne Reservation.