The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation, with funding support from the Maka Foundation, has reintroduced another indigenous species, the black-footed ferret, one of the rarest and the most endangered mammals species in North America.
On September 27th, 2006, Lower Brule Sioux Tribal member and Wildlife Biologist Shaun Grassel oversaw and coordinated the reintroduction of the black-footed ferrets to tribal lands. The short-term goal is breeding of the first wild-born generation of black-footed ferrets on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation. The long-term goal is a self-sustaining black-footed ferret population that that has survival and recruitment rates similar to other wild self-sustaining populations.
All black-footed ferrets are micro-chipped and monitored by conducting a spotlight search of prairie dog colonies and capturing observed animals for identification. Funding is needed to support a field crew and direct monitoring expenses. The field crew consists of one full-time technician, one seasonal technician, and one full-time biologist. Monitoring expenses includes vehicle costs and maintenance, and purchasing vaccines and microchips.
This project will help more than just the environment. It also generates jobs, creating revenue within the Reservation where poverty and high unemployment are major social problems.
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 The Maka Foundation is working with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe to manage vibrant prairie dog colonies and their associated species. The black-tailed prairie dog is an ecologically important species in the Great Plains. Prairie dog colonies support a diverse population of wildlife, including burrowing owls and black-footed ferrets (North America’s most endangered mammal). However, widespread eradication programs, land use practices and plague have reduced prairie dog populations to less than three percent of their former population.
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 Shown here is a Burrowing Owl who nest in underground burrows created by prairie dogs. The Burrowing Owls eat insects and small rodents that are found in the prairies and grasslands or other areas with low vegetation. Burrowing Owls are a common site on the prairie dog towns of the Lower Brule Reservation. The black-footed ferret is just one species that relies on prairie dog populations. Ferrets live only in prairie dog burrows, and more than 90% of their diet is prairie dogs. The black-footed ferret was twice thought to be extinct until discovery of the last natural wild population in 1981 near Meeteetse, Wyoming. |
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 In Lakota, the black-footed ferret is called Itopa Sapa. The Lakota considered the black-footed ferret to be elusive and thus difficult to kill. Lakota people believed that whoever killed one would surely die. For this the Lakota admired the ferret and emulated them to gain their powers. |
 Shaun Grassel
Shaun is an enrolled member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. He received a B.S. and M.S. degree from South Dakota State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and is in a PhD in Wildlife Resources program at the University of Idaho. He worked for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe from 1995-2002 and from 2004 to present. Shaun initially focused on big game management and protecting the Tribe’s wildlife resources through law enforcement. Shaun received federal law enforcement certification from the Indian Police Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Shaun is currently working to restore imperiled species, including the swift fox and black-footed ferret. From 2002 to 2004, he worked for the Nez Perce Tribe as a habitat biologist and project leader for developing a new hatchery for ESA-listed threatened spring chinook. Shaun has been recognized by the South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, and the Wildlife Conservation Society for his efforts related to wildlife management and conservation. Shaun’s interests are developing tribal fish and wildlife management capacity, big game management, and conservation biology.
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You can support this ongoing reintroduction of the black-footed ferret through your tax-deductible donation to the Maka Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. Donations can be marked, “For the Ferrets” and mailed to the Maka Foundation, or may be made from a secure link on this website's "Donate Now" page.
Funding is still needed for monitoring of the ferrets already released and for future releases. Getting the ferrets onsite is the beginning of a long term process. Your financial support will help ensure that this project is a complete success and the ferrets can permanently establish themselves.
Those interested in participating in this project’s fieldwork first-hand are invited to contact Maka Foundation.
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