Community News · Meeteetse, WY
No Black-Footed Ferrets Detected in Meeteetse Reintroduction Area
Wyoming Game and Fish Department surveys covering 4,000 to 5,000 acres of the Meeteetse reintroduction area in late August found zero black-footed ferrets, marking a potential collapse of the population reintroduced in 2016. Sylvatic plague outbreaks in 2018, 2019, and 2023 combined with drought-driven declines in prairie dog prey are suspected causes. Prairie dog colonies in the area have shrunk from over 6,000 acres to roughly 3,800 active acres. Game and Fish diverted 10 captive-raised ferrets intended for Meeteetse to the Shirley Basin and continues annual insecticide treatments on about 4,000 acres at roughly $100,000 per year. Officials hope prairie dog recovery could support a ferret release by 2027.