Spotted! Black-Footed Ferrets Are Back in South Dakota-Here's Why

South Dakota is home to many wildlife like coyotes, bison, Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, walleye, and even mountain lions. But one species that was thought to be gone has made its surprising return to South Dakota!

Ever heard of the Black-Footed Ferret? These creatures come from the mustelid family, and for decades lived within the Badlands of South Dakota. However, the Black-Footed Ferrets in South Dakota officially declared extinct in 1980.

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What Is The Black-Footed Ferret?

The Black-Footed Ferret is the only ferret species that are native in North America. According to The Nature Conservancy, Black-Footed Ferrets can be found in "intermountain prairies, grasslands, and shrub-steppe ecosystems." These carnivorous critters have a pale, yellowish-buff coat with a distinctive black face mask, black feet, and a black-tipped tail. And their main diet? Prairie dogs.

So Are The Black-Footed Ferrets Really Back In South Dakota?

Officials with the Badlands National Park shared a stunning photo in a Facebook post showing a Black-Footed Ferret popping up to say hello!

South Dakota is part of a recovery population program mainly in the Conata Basin, Badlands National Park, and Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Park officials say 1974 was the "last known wild population of black-footed ferrets" before they disappeared. It wasn't until 1981 when a small population was discovered. Sometimes, a small "business" is all you need to give this species new life.

After experts identified the animal, wildlife biologists rushed to investigate and discovered a small, surviving population.

Every black-footed ferret living today can trace its lineage back to that rediscovered population. While their comeback is one of North America's greatest conservation success stories, black-footed ferrets remain one of the continent's most endangered mammals

The Black-Footed Ferrets in South Dakota were never really "dead" after all!

South Dakota's Weird Exotic Animal Laws Are Amazing

Have an interesting pet or looking to get one? Check this out from South Dakota Exotic Animal Laws before you go trying to adopt one.

You will need a zoo permit to harbor a raccoon dog. That's a real species. It's a small wild dog with a black facial mask and long fur, native to the forests of Asia.

Gallery Credit: Danny V

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Source: Spotted! Black-Footed Ferrets Are Back in South Dakota-Here’s Why