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Many prairie dog towns have been surveyed for evidence of ferret activity. 

 Occasional unverified reports of ferrets have been received, several of 

 which were subsequently identified as weasels, ranch mink, and marten. 



The life history and basic ecology of the black-footed ferret has been 

 presented by Flath (1976a). Public information has been frequently 

 disseminated via mass media. 



Availability of additional funds for black-footed ferret conservation 

 should permit: 



1. Initiating an inventory of prairie dog towns, map location and 

 estimated size of each town; 



2. Surveying prairie dog towns for evidence of ferret activity; 



3. Conducting night survey of prairie dog towns which display 

 evidence of ferret activity; 



4. Developing management recommendations for ferret occupied sites; and 



5. Initiating studies on ecological relationships between prairie 

 dogs and other forms of wildlife. 



Items 1-4 constitute a basic survey and inventory effort for black- 

 footed ferrets. Item 5 is designed to reveal additional considerations 

 in prairie dog management which in turn will influence future availability 

 of potential ferret habitat. 



