Conservation Efforts

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are one of the most endangered mammals in the world. They are a member of a large group of mammals known as mustelids, or musk-producing animals.

The Phoenix Zoo is proud to participate in conservation efforts to save the endangered black-footed ferret. In 1985, researchers discovered the dire situation facing black-footed ferrets. Biologists surveyed the species in Wyoming to find that there were very few of them left and decided to capture 18 individuals to create a breeding program. Since 1988, governmental agencies, zoos and private landowners have worked together to bring this species back from the brink of extinction.

The Phoenix Zoo has been an active participant in the conservation and reintroduction of the endangered black-footed ferret (BFF) since we opened our breeding facility in 1992. We are one of only six facilities in the country that participate in the BFF breeding program. Our facility has produced nearly 400 ferrets, 85 of which have been released to the wild locally at the Aubrey Valley reintroduction site near Seligman Arizona. There on average are approximately 250 adult ferrets in the six ferret breeding facilities and 150 to 240 captive born ferrets are released to the wild each year. It is estimated that 800 to 1000 ferrets now live in the wild! There are currently 19 black-footed ferret reintroduction sites located in eight states with one site in Mexico and one site in Canada. Black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced in Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, and New Mexico.

You can help The Phoenix Zoo in its efforts to save this important species by purchasing a black-footed ferret SPOTZ package!

Check out our partnership with US Fish and Wildlife Service

Black-footed ferret fact sheet

History of the black-footed ferret

The Phoenix Zoo's ferret breeding compound

News updates on the black-footed ferret

Ways you can help the black-footed ferret