Earlier this month, Arizona became one of the latest states to release a group of black-footed ferrets back into the wild.
Arizona Game & Fish Department personnel released 19 ferrets at three locations throughout northern Arizona.
The effort is part of a multi-agency captive breeding and reintroduction program that aims to bolster the wild population.
In 1986, there were only 18 black-footed ferrets remaining. But since the program was instated, the population has grown to over 300.
Released ferrets will be monitored by biologists through ongoing research and trapping efforts.
More Arizona animal news
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Mexican gray wolves are one of the smallest wolf species in the world and among the most endangered. The animal’s habitat once spanned the mountains of central Mexico, up to southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico and southwest Texas.
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The FIGHT Act is co-sponsored by 165 member of Congress, including Sen. Mark Kelly and Reps. Greg Stanton, Juan Ciscomani, and David Schweikert. -
There are grassy fields, tree-covered mountains, desert scrub and riparian preserves. In fact, it’s one of the top biodiversity hot spots in the world, especially for birders. -
As you’ve probably noticed, the recent surge in temperatures in metro Phoenix and Arizona has brought an attendant surge of grasshoppers. -
The new ruling could be a setback for the Trump administration, which is trying to loosen habitat protections.
