Innovative Technology Aims To Boost Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Efforts

Smithsonian Leads Groundbreaking Research To Track and Monitor One of North America’s Most Endangered Mammals

Cutting-edge technology designed to track and understand the secret, underground lives and behavior of the elusive black-footed ferret has been deployed in the wild for the first time. Believed to be extinct until 1981, black-footed ferrets spend most of their time in extensive prairie dog burrow systems, making study in the wild extremely difficult. An innovative study led by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) aims to advance research and recovery efforts of North America’s only native ferret species by monitoring this endangered species in a groundbreaking new way. 

In a first-of-its-kind effort, researchers from NZCBI, Swansea University, Montana State University (MSU) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in collaboration with Fort Belknap Indian Community, American Prairie and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), are using advanced tracking technology to explore long-unanswered questions about the behavior, survival and ecology of black-footed ferrets and their primary food source, prairie dogs. On Sept. 27, 2024, representatives from NZCBI, Fort Belknap, USFWS and WWF released five black-footed ferrets at Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, each fitted with novel tracking devices designed to monitor their fine-scale movements and behavior underground—something previously impossible. 

“We have never been able to collect this type of information on black-footed ferrets,” said Jesse Boulerice, research ecologist at NZCBI. “The technology holds immense potential to help us understand the drivers of survival and mortality of these mysterious creatures, as well as increase our knowledge about their movement, behavior and activity patterns. We simply don’t know enough about what is happening underground where ferrets spend most of their time. This data is expected to be critical for informing future reintroduction and conservation strategies.” 

In addition to tracking the ferrets, the team also tagged 50 prairie dogs—the engineers of ferret habitat and food resources. These tracking devices allow researchers to visualize the complex three-dimensional structure of burrow systems, providing a detailed understanding of how animals move and behave within these underground ecosystems. This information will not only enhance the understanding of black-footed ferret behavior but also contribute to a broader study of prairie dog ecology, including their movements, social structures and habitat use.  

“Prairie dogs are not only the main food source for black-footed ferrets, but their burrow systems and colonies provide critical shelter, resources and microhabitats for ferrets and many other prairie species,” Boulerice said. “Investigating the full scope of ferret ecology and advancing our understanding of how ferrets and prairie dogs interact is fundamental to the success of black-footed ferret recovery efforts.” 

The collaborative project represents a significant step forward in the conservation of one of North America’s most endangered mammals. The continent’s only native ferret species,  

“We are extremely excited about this research and look forward to how the data collected can improve and inform ongoing recovery efforts,” said Tina Jackson, USFWS’ Black-Footed Ferret Recovery coordinator. “These insights are critical to helping our program better understand what impacts survival for black-footed ferrets in the wild and ensuring the species continues to rebound.” 

Since the black-footed ferret’s rediscovery in the wild in the 1980s, USFWS and partners have worked tirelessly to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. USFWS has led black-footed ferret recovery efforts for over three decades, starting with the development of breeding programs that now release a few hundred ferrets each year. NZCBI has been a key player in these efforts from the beginning. In addition to this new movement ecology project, NZCBI breeds ferrets in human care and leads several research projects related to black-footed ferret genomics and health. 

The success of breeding and reintroduction programs has been essential, but the animals continue to face challenges in the wild, including diseases like the sylvatic plague. The use of tracking technology now allows researchers to obtain data on ferret behavior, survival rates and interactions with their environment right after their release—the most critical time period in their survival in the new environment. Researchers believe filling in these crucial gaps will further improve survivorship and overall recovery efforts. 

This collaborative project is funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, which has long supported conservation initiatives aimed at preserving endangered species and restoring ecosystems. The foundation’s support enabled researchers to push the boundaries of traditional wildlife monitoring and conservation techniques, offering hope for the recovery of one of North America’s most iconic species. 

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI)  

NZCBI leads the Smithsonian’s global effort to save species, better understand ecosystems and train future generations of conservationists. Its two campuses are home to more than 2,100 animals, including some of the world’s most critically endangered species. Always free of charge, the Zoo’s 163-acre park in the heart of Washington, D.C., features 2,100 animals representing 400 species and is a popular destination for children and families. At the Conservation Biology Institute’s 3,200-acre campus in Virginia, breeding and veterinary research on 250 animals representing 20 species provide critical data for the management of animals in human care and valuable insights for conservation of wild populations. NZCBI’s 305 staff and scientists work in Washington, D.C., Virginia and with partners at field sites across the United States and in more than 30 countries to save wildlife, collaborate with communities and conserve native habitats. NZCBI is a long-standing accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.   

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit fws.gov and connect with it on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr and YouTube. 

Swansea University 

Founded in 1920, Swansea University is a research-led, dual campus university located along Swansea Bay in south Wales, UK. Its stunning beachfront campuses and friendly welcome make Swansea University a desirable destination for more than 22,000 students from across the globe. There are three academic faculties, delivering around 450 undergraduate and 350 postgraduate degree programs. 

Swansea is a UK top-30 institution, ranked 25th in the 2024 Guardian University Guide. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 86% of Swansea University’s overall research and 91% of its research environment were classed as world-leading and internationally excellent, with 86% of its research impact rated outstanding and very considerable. 

Montana State University (MSU) 

MSU is the largest university in Montana and remains committed to its foundational land-grant mission of education, research and outreach. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recognizes MSU as an R-1 research university, and it is one of just 146 U.S. universities with “very high” research activity and an enrollment profile of “very high undergraduate.” With annual research expenditures of $258 million, MSU is by far the largest research entity of any type in Montana, and the university excels in fields such as ecology, optics, photonics, biochemistry, engineering and precision agriculture. Offering hands-on research opportunities from the undergraduate level, MSU provides students unparalleled access to renowned faculty amid the stunning landscapes of southwest Montana. 

Fort Belknap Fish and Wildlife Department  

Fort Belknap Fish and Wildlife Department has successfully returned the endangered black-footed ferret and Plains bison to the Fort Belknap Indian Community lands and has recently initiated a swift fox reintroduction project in cooperation with Smithsonian scientists. The federally recognized Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) and Assiniboine (Nakoda) Tribes (Tribes) manage 675,000 acres of land in Montana, which provides critical habitat for some of Montana’s most treasured and rare species. The Tribes are committed to conserving native species and their habitats on the Fort Belknap and preserving and protecting the cultural values of the Fort Belknap Indian Community.   

American Prairie 

American Prairie’s vision is to create a vast and collaboratively managed prairie destination that serves as a fully functioning ecosystem for wildlife, and offers visitors permanent access to the landscape that shaped the nation’s character. Already open to the public for recreation including camping and hunting, American Prairie offers visitors an opportunity to connect with nature on a truly grand scale. Learn more at americanprairie.org.    

Project Funder:  
Paul G. Allen Family Foundation  

Founded in 1988 by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the foundation works to enhance the arts and culture experience, mobilize young people to drive change and advance science and technology solutions that address wildlife conservation, ocean health and climate change. The foundation also funds cutting-edge research in all areas of bioscience through the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group. Learn more at pgafamilyfoundation.org. 

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Photo caption 1: Wild black-footed ferret wearing a novel tracking collar peers out of a prairie dog burrow. 
Photo credit 1: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 

Photo caption 2: The sun rises over the open plain where the black-footed ferrets will be released. 
Photo credit 2: Brett Kuxhausen, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 

Photo caption 3: Wild black-footed ferret stands near a prairie dog burrow opening. The species was believed to have gone extinct in 1979, before being rediscovered in 1981. 
Photo credit 3: Brett Kuxhausen, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 

Photo caption 4: WNZCBI ecologist Jesse Boulerice uses a very-high-frequency (VHF) tracking device to locate the collared black-footed ferrets.
Photo credit 4: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.