This week we explore a creature that used to live throughout the grasslands of the United States, the elusive black footed ferret. Once declared extinct, the highly endangered specialist predator may make a comeback in the North American prairie thanks in part to our guest, Paul Marinari, retired Senior Curator at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute at the National Zoo.

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Once declared extinct, the highly endangered specialist predator may make a comeback in the North American prairie thanks in part to our guest, Paul Marinari, retired Senior Curator at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute at the National Zoo.

Today, there are fewer than 1,000 black footed ferrets in zoos and in the wild. These fuzzy little critters are America’s only native ferret species, and one of only three species of ferret in the world!

These creatures aren’t pets. They belong in the wild, and they like to bite – so if you’re lucky enough to see one in the wild, enjoy it from afar.

Black footed ferrets mainly eat wild prairie dogs. Unfortunately, due to a disease called sylvatic plague, the current population of prairie dogs in the Great Plains is only about 2% of the size it used to be. This means a lot of black footed ferrets lost their food supply.

The black footed ferret was declared extinct in 1987 and stayed that way for 4 years, but about 40 years ago a dog named Shep rediscovered the species on his family’s farm.

We’ll be introduced to Elizabeth Ann, a ferret cloned from cells frozen all the way back in 1987!

Scientists are working hard to restore the black footed ferret but they face obstacles from humans who have destroyed their habitats.  Scientists have created breeding programs to bring new ferrets into the world and preserve existing ferret populations sustainably.  

This episode was produced by Katie Stone, our Executive Producer and producers Christina Stella, Sarah Gabrielli, and McKenzie Graunke. Amber Shiel writes our learning guides. Many thanks to Paul Marinari, retired Senior Curator at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute at the National Zoo for being with us on the show today. 

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