March 20, 2006
Blackfooted Ferret Spotlighting and Monitoring
AZ Game and Fish needs volunteers for another round of night time Spotlighting, capture, and release. It also needs volunteers to monitor the activity of captive ferrets for a 72 hour period after experimental treatments. The dates are March 25, starting at 6pm, and ending 6pm March 28. The Ferret Station biologists in Seligman say that they need more monitors at the conditioning pens, where Ferrets are held before release, than they do Spotlighters.
For complete details of the event, the duties, and how to contact the Ferret Field Station, see the extended entry below:
Greetings, Master Naturalists
Thank you to all our volunteers that have made past spotlighting efforts a success. During the September spotlighting effort a possible 68 different ferrets were seen, 14 of which we were able to trap, eight females and six males. Out of the eight females, six of these were possibly lactating!
Fewer ferrets were seen during the November spotlighting effort, as ferret activity begins to slow down. A possible six individuals were seen, and out of these two were trapped (one male wildborn and one female recapture).
What is the background of this project?
The black-footed ferret is North America’s only native ferret and one of its rarest mammals. Black-footed ferrets live in large prairie dog towns, prey on prairie dogs and reside in their burrows. At one time, the black-footed ferret was thought to be extinct and is now listed as an endangered species. Several states, including Arizona, have reintroduced black-footed ferrets and Aubrey Valley is the only reintroduction site in Arizona.
What is the purpose of spotlighting?
Spotlighting allows us to locate released and wildborn ferrets. March is an excellent time of year to conduct a large spotlighting effort because male ferrets are on the move in search for females.
The ferrets are examined by a bio-medical team of researchers from the Smithsonian Institute and Kansas State University for genetic diversity and checked for diseases such as plague and canine distemper, just to name a couple. The males are also tested for sperm quality, which then takes three hours to preserve. This extensive effort will also aid us in determining potential black-footed ferret territories, so we can select the best area for future releases.
When?
The 72 hours of March 25th-28th. Monitoring the conditioning pens will be in 8 hour shifts.
How long am I needed?
Volunteers tthat can only make it one night or for a short duration are welcome as well!
To signup for the monitoring, please send me an e-mail with the shifts you would like to volunteer. If those shifts are filled, the shift can be cut in half or if possible, people could be assigned another shift.
What is involved?
Pen Monitoring:
Each of the burrows within each pen will be numbered, and as the ferret moves around the pen, the observer will record which burrow the ferret is using and the time of use. During the day, volunteers will be assigned one to two pen ferrets and at nighttime volunteers will only have one ferret to monitor.
Spotlighting:
This practice involves the use of high-powered spotlights to locate and identify black-footed ferrets. Green eyeshine of the ferret is reflected by the light and aids spotlighters with identification. Numerous other animals are often observed, such as badgers, coyotes, owls, and pronghorn. Once we locate a ferret we set a trap on it so that it can be brought back to our bio-medical team for examination.
Skills and Abilities?
An interest in wildlife, enthusiasm, willingness to learn new survey techniques. Those assigned to vehicles will drive a set route throughout the night spotlighting for eyeshine. Those backpacking will carry a 15-pound battery and traps by backpack while walking several miles and recording locations using a GPS. Volunteers will be personally responsible for setting and checking traps. Backpack spotlighters will switch out with truck spotlighters throughout the night. Spotlighting will involve working from sundown to sunup.
What to bring?
Most importantly, dress appropriately for the time of year. If you have any of the following, bring them along: headlamp, global positioning system (GPS) unit, hand-held radios, binoculars and a backpack large enough to carry a 12-volt battery and a trap. We also need vehicles; if you have a 4x4 pickup and would consider using your personal vehicle for spotlighting please let us know!
Where to Stay?
Seligman has several nice, reasonably priced motels, including the Aztec Motel (928) 422-3055, and the Canyon Lodge (928) 422-3255. There are also several other motels in Seligman and you would prefer the option of camping, we can help you to make those arrangements, but are unable to provide camping gear.
Interested?
To sign up for the spotlighting event or if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact any me via the information below (email preferred)!! Please forward this to any other interested candidates.
Please call ASAP as space is limited and include information as to whether you are interested in backpacking, spotlighting from a truck or both.
Thank you for your interest,
Adrianna Siniawski
Wildlife Technician
Black-footed Ferret Project
Arizona Game and Fish Department
PO Box 397
Seligman, AZ 86337
928.422.0155
Email: azferret@azgfd.gov