Last Of Original Wild Ferrets Dies

Endangered species

“Jezabelle,” the last of the 18 original wild-caught black-footed ferrets from Meeteetse, Wyo., died Oct. 3 at the Sybille captive breeding facility.

Just over 8 years old, the female ferret accounted for some 450 offspring in her extended family. She was captured as a juvenile along with her mother and four litter mates in 1986. The captive breeding program was designed to interrupt a distemper outbreak that had decimated the black-footed ferret population.

The 18 animals were the base for a program that saw reintroduction of the animals beginning in 1991. According to Tom Thorne, Wyoming Game and Fish Department veterinarian, had the 18 not been captured, black-footed ferrets would have gone extinct.

Currently, there are 370 ferrets in captivity. Some 360 others have been released just this year. In all, the captive breeding program has produced 427 animals for the recovery.