Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release:  September 26, 2001

Contact:  Dario Bard (FWS)
202/208-5634

MEDIA ADVISORY

A HISTORIC WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MOMENT:
Endangered Black-footed Ferrets return to Mexico

On Tuesday, October 2, the black-footed ferret, a species considered extinct in Mexico and endangered in the U.S., will return to Mexican soil. More than two dozen ferrets from three breeding facilities -- the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center near Laramie, Wyoming; the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona; and the Toronto Zoo in Ontario, Canada -- will be released in the vicinity of Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico, roughly 140 miles from El Paso, Texas.

This marks the first time the U.S., Mexico, and Canada have joined forces to restore a species that has disappeared in Mexico. The ferrets will be released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration with the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

Black-footed ferrets are an endangered species. Only 700 remain in the world today, with about half of those living in the wild. Although the number remains low, it is a remarkable comeback story considering that only 18 black-footed ferrets remained in 1987. Re-establishing self-sustaining wild populations has not been easy, and thus far, the Conata Basin, South Dakota, reintroduction represents the only successful effort. The difficulty lies in the absence of large, disease-free and viable prairie dog towns, which provide sustenance and shelter for black footed ferrets. Biologists believe the Janos, Mexico site holds great promise, since it is home to half a million disease-free prairie dogs, the largest prairie dog colony remaining in North America. By returning the black-footed ferret to Janos, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico are not only restoring a part of the natural ecology of the area; they are also restoring a part of Mexico's natural heritage.

WHAT: The release of black-footed ferrets in Janos, Chihuahua, marking the species' return


to Mexico.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 2

WHERE: The release site is remote. It is located on a private ranch in the vicinity of Janos,


Chihuahua, Mexico. Distance from El Paso, Texas, is 140 miles -- about a 3 hour drive.

Please bring your passport!

CONTACT: Dario Bard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 202-208-5634

DOI