More ferrets expected in NW Kansas

Dan Mulhearn already has put in an order for this fall's supply of black-footed ferrets.

"I requested 50," said Mulhearn, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who has been spearheading the reintroduction project in Logan County. "I highly doubt we'll get that many."

How many ferrets actually make it to the three ranches in Logan County will depend on how successful the federal ferret breeding program has been this year.

Information is suggesting it hasn't been as good as hoped.

As well, there's also a problem with sylvatic plague in prairie dogs in the Conata Basin area of South Dakota, where wild-born ferrets had been expected to be trapped for dispersal elsewhere.

"There's not going to be any movement of animals from South Dakota to other states," Mulhearn said.

As a result, he's unsure how many animals might be heading to Kansas for the reintroduction project.

"I'm anticipating we'll get an allocation," he said. "I just don't know how many yet."

* Mike Corn, HDN