In 1986 Mom lived on a prairie dog colony near Meeteetse, Wyoming and was one of the last black-footed ferrets left in the world. Biologists raced to capture as many ferrets as possible because disease was ravaging the population. On a dark August night Dean Biggins spotted Mom, took a photograph of her and set a trap. Soon Mom was captured and as Biggins knelt down in the mud beside her he made a cast of her track. Mom was destined for captive breeding and Biggins had hope that the species could be saved from extinction.

Mom was one of 18 black-footed ferrets saved from Meeteetse and became a cornerstone of the captive breeding program that has brought the species back from the brink of extinction. More than 7,000 black-footed ferrets have been produced in captivity and 3,000 have been reintroduced into the wild. Mom’s legacy lives on today in the kits that are bred in captivity and released into the wild in 8 states, Mexico and Canada. Over the past 9 years Prairie Wildlife Research has counted, captured, and conserved more than 1,000 black-footed ferrets in the wild. We work on the prairies to save black-footed ferrets from deadly diseases and work with our many conservation partners to reintroduce black-footed ferrets across North America. In the past 3 years alone we have moved wild black-footed ferrets to start new populations or enhance populations in 6 US states. And we collaborate with Dean Biggins, the biologist who captured Mom, on many projects to learn more about black-footed ferrets and restore this beautiful species.

Bring home a part of black-footed ferret history and help us continue Mom’s legacy. Your donation of $100 or more goes directly to our on-the-ground conservation efforts with black-footed ferrets. This special adoption package is only available until Endangered Species Day (May 21, 2010) and includes Mom's story, a limited edition reproduction of her track (only 75 available) and a 5x7 black and white photo.

If you prefer to adopt by mail, a printable form is available here.