The Black-footed Ferret is an endangered mammal in North America, according to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). They became extirpated in the wild in Canada in 1937, and were classified as endangered in the U.S. in 1967. The last known wild population was taken into captivity in the mid-1980s, a few years after its accidental discovery in Wyoming. Release of captive animals has successfully re-introduced the species to parts of its former habitat, and currently these populations have made what has been called an “astonishing comeback”.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-footed_Ferret

[Show as slideshow]

Black-footed ferret on the lookout. [1]

Crawling through grass. [2]

Scanning the horizon. [3]

A family of black-footed ferrets. [4]

Black-footed ferrets cuddling together. [5]

Peering out from its den. [6]

Baby black-footed ferrets in captivity. [7]

Young black-footed ferret playing. [8]

Young black-footed ferrets beginning to mature. [9]