March 7, 2005
Volunteer to Count Ferret Population
Photo by M.R. Matchett published by USFWS
Volunteers needed for March nighttime survey in Aubrey Valley, NW of Seligman.
See below:
For a program overview, go to this AZGFD Black-footed Ferret web page.
Arizona Game and Fish is seeking volunteers to help with population surveys and also with field station tasks like maintaining ferret conditioning pens.
Volunteers should have an interest in wildlife, enthusiasm, willingness to learn new survey techniques, and the ability to hike for several hours wearing a backpack of about 30 pounds and remain vigilant throughout the night! Nights are long (sunrise to sunset), and some people will be asked to backpack portions of the night. Vigilance is key, as ferrets can be spotted at quite a distance, but they can also be easily missed.
Field Station Activities
Population surveys are conducted monthly through most of the year, close to the full moon phase, when the ferrets are more active. Surveys, which run from dusk till dawn, use a technique called "spotlighting" that relies upon the bright reflection from the back of the eyes of ferrets (And many other nocturnal predators, also. We will have an entry in the future that talks about why the eyes of many animals seem to glow.) Using spotlights, ferrets can be seen at good distances across prairie dog villages. Once spotted, the teams try to trap the ferret (except when kittens are present) to confirm an individual's ID and assess condition. If the ferret is wildborn, it is anesthetized and receives a full physical, and a microchip tag is planted under the skin for future ID. After the ferret recovers, it is released at the same burrow where it was captured.
Pre-Conditioning pens are also maintained. Captive breeding is still a large part of the recovery program, and particularly in springtime, mothers and newborn kittens are allowed to roam large conditioning pens which include artificial burrows. They acclimatize to local conditions, building mental libraries of plant, soil, and prey smells, soil consistencies, and tuning the biological clocks to the local latitude. When they are ultimately released, they avoid the stress of caged travel and sudden relocation. Annual introduction survival rates have measurably improved since the conditioning pens were established.
Volunteer Opportunities
For several reasons, there were no surveys for a couple months this past winter. Therefore, surveys for February 2005 will be looking at a variety of additional habitat and population features, and establishing the targets for subsequent survey work. There are no volunteer openings remaining for this month.
Think March! The AZGFD Field Station in Seligman is having its Spring Event from the night of Monday the 21st through the night of Friday the 25th of March. This month's survey will focus on winter survival. In addition, a team led by the Smithsonian Institute and including a consortium of universities will examine ferrets trapped as part of the survey to measure and learn about fertility levels in male ferrets. People interested in becoming volunteers in the AZ Black-footed Ferret Reintroduction Program are invited to attend in March, for as many nights as they are able. You do not have to be there for the whole five days, or the beginning.
What to Expect
Beyond March, volunteers participate in every monthly survey. These spotlighting surveys center on the full moon, and volunteer opportunities are more difficult to fill when the surveys fall midweek.
There are two types of survey teams: Truck and backpack.
Truck teams will shine spotlights from both sides. When a ferret is spotted, a livetrap is set out for retrieval later that night.
Backpack teams go where truck teams can't. A 12v battey and spotlight is carried br each team, as well as traps.
-People can expect to alternate between teams to allow the effort to be shared more equally.
-Volunteers willing to use their own 4x4 pickup are also needed, if it can carry a team with lights, batteries, up to a half dozen traps, up to a half dozen ferrets,and other equipment.
-Dress for cold and wind. Carry two light sources, preferably headlamp and flashlight.
-Bring GPS and binoculars, if you have them.
-If you are spotlighting for more than one night, you can camp or use an RV, and several motels are available in Seligman. Two that are popular with volunteers are the Aztec Motel and Gift Shop, 928.422.3055; and the Historic Route 66 Motel, 928.422.3204 .
How to Contact
The AZGFD Blackfooted Ferret Field Station is located in Seligman at 307 E. Picacho St., click for map, and can be phoned at 928.422.0155 or e-mailed at azferret@gf.state.az.us .
The field station folks prefer you use e-mail.
Address your communication to Rob Lonsinger, Wildlife Assistant II, and Volunteer Coordinator. He will send you an e-mail with even more details and a schedule of the events that need volunteer assistance.