scholarly journals Rarely Observed Behaviors and Occurrences of Black-footed Ferrets Preconditioning for Wild Release 2014–2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-249
Author(s):  
Tyler N. Tretten
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Mustela Nigripes ◽  
Crotalus Viridis ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Endangered Status

Abstract Black-footed ferrets Mustela nigripes became extinct in the wild in 1987 when the last known wild animals were removed from a remnant population in an attempt to save the species by beginning a captive breeding program. Breeding efforts were successful, and since 1991 wildlife managers have annually released ferrets back into the wild at sites within the ferrets' historic range. Before their release into the wild, ferrets undergo a preconditioning stage in a quasi-natural habitat which better prepares them for life in the wild after a captive upbringing. Due to their nocturnal, fossorial, and largely solitary lifestyle, combined with their expansive habitat and endangered status, there are undoubtedly a multitude of behaviors ferrets exhibit that are not commonly observed. Here I detail multiple aspects of rarely described black-footed ferret ecology including black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus hunting stratagems, interactions with prairie rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis, predation on birds, and sudden unexplained deaths of entire ferret family groups. The preconditioning setting that serves as an intermediate step between a captive and wild life for captive-reared ferrets allows for wildlife managers to witness ferret behaviors, though similar situations conceivably occur somewhat regularly in the wild.

Managing Populations, Diseases, and Landowner Perceptions of Prairie Dogs for Black-Footed Ferret Reintroduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
A. M. Aramati Casper ◽  
Dorothy P. Hill ◽  
Melanie K. Rathburn
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Agricultural Pests ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Mustela Nigripes ◽  
Ecological Relationships ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Specialist Predators

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is one of the rarest mammal species in North America. Captive breeding has prevented extinction of this species, but successful reintroduction of ferrets into their native grassland habitat is a complex endeavor. As specialist predators, ferrets depend almost exclusively on prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) for both food and shelter, so successful black-footed ferret reintroduction hinges on maintaining large colonies of prairie dogs. However, prairie dogs are also considered agricultural pests and are often subjected to eradication programs. These eradication programs hamper efforts to reintroduce ferrets and disrupt the valuable ecosystem services prairie dogs provide in their role as both keystone and foundation species. Even when agreements are reached to maintain prairie dog colonies, plague (Yersinia pestis), which infects both prairie dogs and ferrets, can threaten the success of a ferret reintroduction program. We describe the research on the complex ecological relationships and socio-environmental challenges of reintroducing endangered black-footed ferrets, with a focus on the most abundant prairie dog species, the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus).

scholarly journals The effect of captivity on the oral health of the critically endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.S. Antonelli ◽  
C.L. Leischner ◽  
J.J. Ososky ◽  
A. Hartstone-Rose
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Periodontal Diseases ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Westward Expansion ◽  
Mustela Nigripes ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Soft Diet ◽  
In The Wild

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes (Audubon and Bachman, 1851)), a North American species of mustelid, faced near extinction after westward expansion during the 20th century destroyed a majority of the population of prairie dogs (genus Cynomys Rafinesque, 1817), their primary food source. Fearing extinction of the black-footed ferret, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service captured the entire population between 1985 and 1987 and began a captive breeding program. While in captivity, the fertility and genetic diversity of the species was closely monitored; however, there is little information about other health consequences of this breeding program. For instance, the black-footed ferrets have been fed a diet that is very different than what they consume in the wild. How did the composition of this diet affect the oral health of these animals? An analysis of dentition of wild and captive black-footed ferrets reveals that calculus accumulation and periodontal diseases occurred with greater severity in captive black-footed ferrets, suggesting that such oral pathologies arose from the unnaturally soft diet fed to them. These findings offer insight into how mechanical properties of diet can affect oral health and how these dietary properties should be considered, not only in regard to the health of black-footed ferrets but also to the health of all mammals including humans.

Patagonian huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) under captive conditions: an historical overview

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Vidal ◽  
Jo Anne M. Smith-Flueck ◽  
Werner T. Flueck ◽  
Eduardo Arias
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
The Past ◽  
Construction Design ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Hippocamelus Bisulcus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Current Program ◽  
Endangered Status ◽  
Historical Accounts

Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is a native deer of Patagonia whose endangered status has raised concerns for several decades, and yet conservation efforts to reverse this situation have not succeeded for most populations. Captive breeding projects attempted in the past were short-lived; animals were often lost due to poor methodology or unsanitary conditions during capture, transport stresses and rudimentary husbandry, and reintroductions could not be realised. Despite inappropriate capture and transport techniques of the past, a few individuals did make it to captive centres where they managed to survive for several years, with a minimum of eight births recorded. Regardless of the successes, it is the past failures that impinge upon today’s conservation efforts. In Argentina, a recent financially backed proposal – establishing a huemul breeding centre and including an in situ reintroduction program – was prevented by the prevailing opinion that captive breeding was neither feasible nor a necessary conservation tool for huemul. In Chile, the Huilo Huilo Foundation was able to obtain government consent and to establish the only captive breeding project in the last two decades with the main objective of reintroducing individuals in the future. Here we present some of the historical accounts to demonstrate the suitability of the species to captivity. We then describe the Chilean semi-captive breeding program (begun in 2005) including capture, transport, site selection, construction design and maintenance procedures of the two centres. The first centre has grown from an initial two adults to nine individuals. The second centre, which initially served for rehabilitation of an injured male, is awaiting arrival of some females. The success of the current program demonstrates that huemul can do well in captivity, and wherever considered beneficial, could serve as a significant conservation tool for the recovery of the species, inclusive of a research program and reintroductions to qualified sites.

Aspects of the life history and breeding biology of the Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus), (Marsupialia: Burramyidae) in alpine Victoria.

1990 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
I.M. Mansergh ◽  
J. Scotts D
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Rare Event ◽  
Cycle Period ◽  
Differential Survival ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
In The Wild

From February 1982 to November 1989, a trapping and captive breeding program was undertaken to examine the life history of the vulnerable Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus), the only Australian mammal restricted to the alpine and subalpine region. During the active season (Oct.-Apr.) over 38 000 trapnights in the habitat throughout Victoria yielded over 900 individual B. parvus captured on over 3 800 occasions. Burramys parvus is a polyoestrous species (mean cycle period of 20.3 days) and produces supernumerary young, up to twice the number of available teats (4). In the wild, breeding is highly synchronised to spring and a single litter is carried p.a. (x = 3.6; mode = 4). Whilst B. parvus retains the capacity to produce a second litter, this is a rare event in the wild and would be selected against as there would be insufficient time to obtain fat reserves for hibernation. At birth and independence the sex ratio of the cohort is at parity, yet at any time the sex ratio of the B. parvus population is always biased toward females due to differential survival of the sexes (at breeding I M: 4-6 F). In autumn, females that would survive winter were on average > 12 % heavier than those not retrapped. One female was at least 11 years old whilst the oldest male recorded was 4 years. Burramys parvus is the longest lived small terrestrial mammal known. Aspects of the life histo ry are discussed in the context of adaptions to the alpine environment and are compared to other small mammals in the habitat and in other cold climates, and to other small marsupial diprotodonts.

scholarly journals Historical DNA analysis reveals living descendants of an extinct species of Galápagos tortoise

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (40) ◽  
pp. 15464-15469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikos Poulakakis ◽  
Scott Glaberman ◽  
Michael Russello ◽  
Luciano B. Beheregaray ◽  
Claudio Ciofi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Charles Darwin ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Galapagos Archipelago ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
In The Wild

Giant tortoises, a prominent symbol of the Galápagos archipelago, illustrate the influence of geological history and natural selection on the diversification of organisms. Because of heavy human exploitation, 4 of the 15 known species (Geochelone spp.) have disappeared. Charles Darwin himself detailed the intense harvesting of one species, G. elephantopus, which once was endemic to the island of Floreana. This species was believed to have been exterminated within 15 years of Darwin's historic visit to the Galápagos in 1835. The application of modern DNA techniques to museum specimens combined with long-term study of a system creates new opportunities for identifying the living remnants of extinct taxa in the wild. Here, we use mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite data obtained from museum specimens to show that the population on Floreana was evolutionarily distinct from all other Galápagos tortoise populations. It was demonstrated that some living individuals on the nearby island of Isabela are genetically distinct from the rest of the island's inhabitants. Surprisingly, we found that these “non-native” tortoises from Isabela are of recent Floreana ancestry and closely match the genetic data provided by the museum specimens. Thus, we show that the genetic line of G. elephantopus has not been completely extinguished and still exists in an intermixed population on Isabela. With enough individuals to commence a serious captive breeding program, this finding may help reestablish a species that was thought to have gone extinct more than a century ago and illustrates the power of long-term genetic analysis and the critical role of museum specimens in conservation biology.

scholarly journals Complex admixture preceded and followed the extinction of wisent in the wild

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Węcek ◽  
Stefanie Hartmann ◽  
Johanna L. A. Paijmans ◽  
Ulrike Taron ◽  
Georgios Xenikoudakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Incomplete Lineage Sorting ◽  
Population History ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Lineage Sorting ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Before And After ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Population Processes ◽  
Using Data

AbstractRetracing complex population processes that precede extreme bottlenecks may be impossible using data from living individuals. The wisent (Bison bonasus), Europe’s largest terrestrial mammal, exemplifies such a population history, having gone extinct in the wild but subsequently restored by captive breeding efforts. Using low coverage genomic data from modern and historical individuals, we investigate population processes occurring before and after this extinction. Analysis of aligned genomes supports the division of wisent into two previously recognised subspecies, but almost half of the genomic alignment contradicts this population history as a result of incomplete lineage sorting and admixture. Admixture between subspecies populations occurred prior to extinction and subsequently during the captive breeding program. Admixture with the Bos cattle lineage is also widespread but results from ancient events rather than recent hybridisation with domestics. Our study demonstrates the huge potential of historical genomes for both studying evolutionary histories and for guiding conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Carrying Capacity of Age-Specific Habitat Zones within Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Colonies: A Baseline Preceding Black-Footed Ferret Reintroduction

1992 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 43-46
Author(s):  
Glenn Plumb
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Population Demographics ◽  
Mustela Nigripes ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Plant Animal Interactions

Plant-animal interactions vary strongly between habitat zones characterized by the duration of colonization (age-specific) within a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) town (Cincotta et al. 1984). These interactions largely determine vegetation composition, diet composition and quality, and population demographics of habitat zones. The ecology of the black-tailed prairie dog in Badlands National Park (BNP) has been described by Cincotta et al. (1984) and Sharps and Uresk (1990). Yet, there is still uncertainty about the plant-animal relationships which underpin prairie dog carrying capacity in different habitat zones. Understanding the variability in the ecology of black-tailed prairie dogs between habitat zones of mature towns is fundamental to successful reintroduction of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) into southwestern South Dakota. The predator-prey relationship between black-tailed prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets is dependent in large part upon density of prey. Additionally, an understanding of black-tailed prairie dog population and foraging ecology will be a required contribution by BNP to the development of a multiple large and small herbivore carrying capacity management model. For the purposes of this proposal, carrying capacity is defined as an estimate of densities of prairie dogs supportable at different levels of forage availability and quality (Hobbs and Swift 1985). Of the habitat zones in an aging prairie dog town, the old-town centers (OTC) and young-town edge (YTE) zones offer the most widely differing habitat characterizations (Cincotta et al. 1984), and should provide the most interesting test of the effect of habitat quality on prairie dog carrying capacity. The objectives of this research are 1) To estimate the carrying capacity of black-tailed prairie dogs in different habitat zones of an aging town, and 2) To understand how vegetation characteristics and prairie dog feeding habits influence the number of black­tailed prairie dogs which can be supported in different habitat zones.

scholarly journals CAPTIVE BREEDING AND REINTRODUCTION OF BLACK FRANCOLIN, GREY FRANCOLIN AND CHUKAR PARTRIDGE (2015-2020) IN DISTRICT DIR LOWER, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Syed Fazal Baqi Kakakhel ◽  
NaveedUl Haq ◽  
Ejaz Ul Haq
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽  
Breeding Center ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Chukar Partridge

Purpose: The ex-situ conservation aims to discover new populations or supports the populations that yet survive in the wild. To breed animals in captivity and release them in their natural control habitats is one of the conservation methods. Amongst other species partridges also breed in captivity and can be release in the wild but presently data lacking, need to examine. Chukar partridge, Black francolin and Grey francolin are used for sports hunting in Pakistan. The available record on captive breeding of Chukar partridge, Black francolin and Grey francilin and their release in the wild for the years 2015-2020 was reviewed using a developed questionnaire. Methodology: Review record of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department Pakistan through a developed questionnaire Findings: It was found that the maximum number of chukar partridge breed was 36, Black francolin (6) and Grey francolin (24). Out of the breeding stock, Chukar partridges (44) and Grey francolin (28) were released in the wild to its natural habitat by hard release technique. Unique contribution to the theory, practice and policy: The researchers recommended decrease in dissimilarity of habitat quality between breeding center environment and the release habitat besides providing a pre-release training to the release experts so as to improve habitat selection and survival of captive-bred. This study will help researchers for further in depth study in the area and will also facilitate conservation organization in making captive breeding of partridges as a successful program. Key words: Partridges, Captive breeding, Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

scholarly journals Born to Be Wild: Evaluating the Zoo-Based Regent Honeyeater Breed for Release Program to Optimise Individual Success and Conservation Outcomes in the Wild

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy S. Tripovich ◽  
Gordana Popovic ◽  
Andrew Elphinstone ◽  
Dean Ingwersen ◽  
Glen Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Release Program ◽  
Individual Success ◽  
The Impact

Evaluating the effectiveness of captive breeding programs is central to improving conservation outcomes in released animals. However, few studies have assessed the impact of the strategies and trade-offs involved in husbandry decisions and the selection of traits on the success of breeding programs. This study evaluated a range of husbandry features including an animal's environment, health, and traits of the released individual and its parents involved in the zoo-based Regent Honeyeater breed for release program to optimise individual reproductive success and survivability, leading to improved conservation outcomes in the wild. We analysed 285 birds using a penalised Cox proportional hazard model to assess survival and an ordinal logistic model to evaluate the reproductive success of zoo bred birds released to the wild. Key features identified by the study highlight the importance of having parents that are successful breeders and parents that have an overall higher lifetime reproductive output. However, there were associated quantity-quality trade-offs, as the success of young (i.e., released birds) produced by parents was negatively associated to the number of clutches per year (where one clutch per year was found optimal). The study demonstrated the importance of considering the parental effects on the traits of its offspring beyond its pedigree information and found there was an associated decline in fitness of its offspring with older fathers. Song tutoring using wild Regent Honeyeaters was also important for increased survival post-release. Other important factors are discussed within the review. In general, the study recommended that a multi-faceted approach in the assessment and evaluation of the captive breeding program, to identify markers that will improve conservation outcomes of future releases.

Evolution, natural history, and conservation of black-footed ferrets

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean E. Biggins ◽  
David A. Eads
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Canine Distemper ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Diverse Area ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Remnant Population

Black-footed ferrets were reduced to a remnant population of 10 in 1985 due to diseases (plague, canine distemper), but successful captive breeding and releases have improved the prospects for ferret recovery. Comparisons between black-footed ferrets and Siberian polecats, close relatives that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, allow the following evolutionary speculation. Predation on ferrets and polecats tends to narrow their niches and promote specialization due to requirements for escape habitats. In Asia, that influence is countered by the larger and more diverse area of steppe and alpine meadow habitats for polecats, and by plague which causes large variation in prey abundance. In North America, the selective pressure favoring specialization in ferrets on prairie dog prey and burrows had no strong counter-force before plague invaded. Plague is an immense challenge to black-footed ferret recovery, and several management tools including vaccines and vector control may be necessary to conserve the species.

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