The black-footed ferret, once believed to be extinct, has made a remarkable recovery alongside prairie dog populations. Colorado wildlife officials are actively working to reintroduce this endangered mammal into the wild prairie landscape. Recently, three adult black-footed ferrets and 14 kits were released at the May Ranch in Lamar, Colorado, with the assistance of Lamar Middle School students.
The black-footed ferret was listed as endangered in 1967 and has since been protected under the Endangered Species Act. Thought to have been extinct, the species was rediscovered in 1981 in Wyoming. Since then, efforts have been made to breed and release these ferrets back into the wild.
With a diet consisting mostly of prairie dogs, the black-footed ferret requires large tracts of land to thrive. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released over 500 ferrets in eastern Colorado since 2013, in collaboration with private landowners like Dallas May. May and his family have dedicated themselves to preserving wildlife habitats and biodiversity on their ranch, creating a safe haven for species like the black-footed ferret.
Government partnerships with private landowners play a crucial role in the conservation and recovery efforts of endangered species like the black-footed ferret. By working together, we can ensure a sustainable future for these remarkable animals. Please rewrite this sentence.
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