What is the rarest mammal in North America?
An endangered black-footed ferret — the rarest mammal in North America — was found inside a Pueblo West homeowner’s garage Monday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The homeowner reported the ferret to Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Monday night after coaxing it into a box, wildlife officials said. Terrestrial biologists confirmed it was indeed a black-footed ferret.
“This is extremely rare,” said conservation biologist Ed Schmal. “Black-footed ferrets are nocturnal and extremely shy. For some reason, this one left the colony and was seeking shelter. We’re just glad it appeared healthy, not starving or sick.”
A microchip implanted in the ferret revealed that it had recently been released on the nearby Walker Ranch as part of a conservation effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore the endangered species. The ferret was one of nine released onto the ranch two weeks ago. After biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the garage-crashing ferret appeared to be healthy and uninjured, wildlife officials returned the animal to the ranch.
Since 2013, over 120 black-footed ferrets have been released on the Walker Ranch, the location of a 1,600-acre prairie dog colony. Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists help to monitor the colonies and distribute plague vaccines to protect the ferrets and prairie dogs — their primary source of food and shelter.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/11/what-is-the-rarest-mammal-in-north-america-this-colorado-homeowner-found-one-parked-in-the-garage.html
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