Top facts
The black-footed ferret was thought to be Extinct (EX) in 1970s but a wild population was rediscovered in 1981.
The last remaining 18 black-footed ferrets were taken into captivity between 1985 and 1987 for captive breeding.
There are currently at least 2 self-sustaining wild populations of the once Extinct in the Wild black-footed ferret.
The black-footed ferret is dependent on prairie dogs both as food and to use their burrows for shelter.