Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes): report on the implementation of the recovery strategy 2009 to 2017

Official title: Report on the Implementation of the Recovery Strategy for Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) in Canada (2009-2017)

This report provides an update on the work done with the Black-footed Ferret from 2009-2017. Ferrets were brought back to Canada for the first time in 2009 and again in years after. They were watched every year to see if they were surviving and reproducing. This species depends on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs. If prairie dogs are struggling, so are the ferrets. Recently, work has focused on creating healthy prairie dog populations so that more ferret releases can happen.

Recommended Citation

Parks Canada Agency. 2018. Report on the Implementation of the Recovery Strategy for the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) in Canada (2009-2017).

Introduction

The final Recovery Strategy for the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) in Canada was posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry on June 19, 2009. The recovery strategy included a goal and objectives for the species, and a description of activities required to meet the goal and objectives. Under section 46 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the competent minister is responsible for reporting on the implementation of the recovery strategy and on the progress towards meeting its objectives five years after it is included on the registry and in every subsequent five-year period, until its objectives have been achieved or the species’ recovery is no longer feasible. This document reports on the implementation of the Recovery Strategy for the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) in Canada from 2009 through 2017, and the progress towards meeting its goal and objectives.

Implementation of the Recovery Strategy and Progress towards Meeting its Objectives

The Recovery Strategy for the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) in Canada identified the goal “to establish a wild population of black-footed ferrets in Canada that has at least an 80 percent probability of persisting for 20 years (i.e. less than 20 percent probability of extinction in 20 years)”, and then identified a number of objectives associated with achieving this goal. In 2009, with the assistance of many partners and stakeholders, the Black-footed Ferret was reintroduced to Grasslands National Park with subsequent releases in 2010-2012. Although the reintroduction demonstrated many successes including a second generation litter of wild born kits, a concurrent decline observed in the Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) population as a result of unknown factors (possibly due to a combination of demographic and climate stochasticity, disease and increase predation) led to the suspension of releases in 2013. Since then actions have been re-directed to achieve objectives outlined in the Management Plan for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) in Canada, in order to aid potential Black-footed Ferret releases in the future.

Monitoring of the Black-footed Ferret occurred annually from initial release date to 2015 to assess survival and reproduction, and to determine the minimum number alive (MNA), providing information required to guide population augmentation. Once MNA was determined, the population was augmented through additional releases in fall 2010-2012 until population supplementation was suspended due to welfare concerns for both species, giventhe low Black-tailed Prairie Dog densities and colony extents. Monitoring was conducted for an additional two years (2014-2015) to assess survival of Black-footed Ferrets beyond the cessation of active releases.

Factors affecting carrying capacity specific to Canada have not been estimated and further research, following a new Black-footed Ferret release, is needed to determine accurate short term and long term population goals. Although a monitoring program has been established and was effective at collecting information on species reproduction and MNA, addressing other objectives in the recovery strategy will be required. These include effectively determining and mitigating impacts on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs and other species, evaluating prey and habitat selection, and assessing factors influencing the survival of Black-footed Ferrets. The Black-footed Ferret monitoring program is on hold until new releases occur at Grasslands National Park and further work towards achieving objectives outlined in the recovery strategy can resume.

Research on population dynamics of the Black-tailed Prairie Dog began prior to the Black-footed Ferret reintroduction and continues to collect empirical data needed to refine the preliminary population viability analysis for Black-tailed Prairie Dogs. Monitoring of colony extents and population densities of the Black-tailed Prairie Dog (a step towards meeting Black-footed Ferret recovery objectives) are ongoing and part of the long-term, Ecological Integrity Monitoring program of Grasslands National Park. Additional research and management of the sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis) and the impact of climatic drivers is underway to ensure the persistence of a resilient Black-tailed Prairie Dog population and potential for future Black-footed Ferret releases. Habitat creation and enhancement is currently ongoing to help address habitat availability, which has been identified as one of the limiting factors affecting Black-footed Ferret reintroductions.

The recovery strategy was made implementable through the Multi-species Action Plan for Grasslands National Park (2016) and the Action Plan for Multiple Species at Risk in Southwestern Saskatchewan: South of the Divide (2017). These complementary action plans incorporated all species at risk found within the respective geographical ranges that required an action plan under the SARA s.47, plus additional species of conservation concern, working towards achieving a holistic approach to species at risk recovery. Where possible, actions that are beneficial to multiple species were identified and prioritized, maximizing benefits to and recovery of species at risk.

A joint Black-tailed Prairie Dog and Black-footed Ferret communication plan was finalized during the initial phase of ferret recovery. Black-footed Ferret releases and subsequent monitoring programs have involved hundreds of volunteers, stakeholders, and partners. Outreach to audiences at the local, regional and national level describing the importance of the return of Black-footed Ferrets to the Canadian prairies was achieved through media, documentaries, public presentations and education programs between 2009 and 2017. Efforts to develop and maintain support for Black-footed Ferret reintroduction and conservation, along with their prey species, with key stakeholders and the local community are still needed.

Literature associated with Implementation of the Recovery Strategy

The following list presents a selection of reports and papers that have been completed during implementation of the Recovery Strategy for the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) in Canada.

Parks Canada Agency. 2011. Plague Mitigation Action Plan for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog Ecosystem. Grasslands National Park of Canada.

Stephens, T. and Lloyd, N. 2014. Preliminary Literature Review of Potential Tools to Enhance Prairie dog Habitat and Populations, Part 1. Report prepared by Calgary Zoo Centre for Conservation Research for Grasslands National Park of Canada.

Thorpe, J. and Stephens, T. 2017. Development of Habitat Mapping and Decision Support Tool for Greater Sage-grouse and Black-tailed Prairie Dog. Saskatchewan Research Council Pub. No 13826-1E17.