CWF supports reintroduction of Black-footed Ferrets

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is proud to commit to the long-term monitoring of Black-footed Ferrets released in Grasslands National Park. CWF is also supporting the development of new national education programs about the endangered species.

“Ongoing monitoring and education are critical to the success of reintroduction programs,” said Wade Luzny, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “Our endangered species program is helping to reverse the decline of many Canadian species, including Black-footed Ferrets.”

CWF is providing $29,800 in funding over three years to Toronto Zoo for the post-release monitoring of Black-footed Ferrets, as well as for new education programs. Toronto Zoo, as part of the Black-footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Team and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, is the only zoo in Canada actively breeding Black-footed Ferrets for reintroduction. At the beginning of October, 34 of these rare species were reintroduced to Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park. The exploratory ferret reintroduction will involve frequent monitoring to alleviate threats such as disease, boost the population when necessary and assess effects on other species at risk.

Because ferrets are nocturnal, spotlighting will be used to locate, count and determine distribution of the ferrets. Maria Franke, Curator of Mammals for the Toronto Zoo, said spotlighting begins in early November, 30 days after the ferret release. The first post-release monitoring session will evaluate immediate survival rates and the short-term suitability of Grasslands National Park as a release site. Subsequently, ferrets will be surveyed by spotlighting every spring, in late March or early April, to determine over-winter survival and spatial distribution. In addition, from late July to September, a combination of spotlighting surveys and live trapping will be used to estimate annual population size and litter production as well as tagging and inoculating animals against disease. More ferrets will be released into Grasslands National Park in 2010 and 2011. This is the only area in Canada that has a population of prairie dogs that can sustain a Black-footed Ferret population.

A video demonstrating the science of breeding ferrets is being produced at the Toronto Zoo, and a portion of CWF’s funding will be allocated to this new educational initiative. Copies of the video will be distributed to classrooms across Canada to demonstrate the importance of captive breeding and recovery initiatives for species at risk. Toronto Zoo and Parks Canada, with support from CWF, are also developing an educational poster about the ferrets.

In 2008, CWF announced that it would provide funding of $25,000 a year over three years to the Calgary Zoo Centre for Conservation Research to support reintroduction programs for The Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Northern Leopard Frog and Black-footed Ferret. The scientific research funded by CWF is developing solutions for environmental problems threatening species and ecosystems.

“As one of the oldest and largest conservation organizations in Canada, CWF has a variety of funding programs in place to support the critical field work of scientists, researchers and communities,” Luzny said. “The Black-footed Ferret was once a keystone species in Canada, and we are hopeful that it will once again survive and prosper in the wild at Grasslands National Park.”

The Canadian Wildlife Federation will release new public service announcements filmed at Grasslands National Park in the spring as part of the popular Hinterland Who’s Who program. These grasslands provide habitat to many at-risk species, such as short-horned lizards, eastern yellow-bellied racer snakes, peregrine falcons and burrowing owls.

“Every indigenous species of Canada plays an important ecological role, yet more than 540 animals and plants are at risk in Canada, not to mention those that have already gone extinct,” Luzny said. “By working together, we can help protect our wild species and spaces.” For more information about what CWF is doing for endangered species, visit canadianwildlifefederation.ca.

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About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending policy changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information, visit canadianwildlifefederation.ca.

Contact:

Heather Robison
Media and Community Relations Officer
(306) 550-4155
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org