Survey results shine light on recovery effort
The Arizona Game and
Fish Department is seeking volunteers to assist with fall spotlighting efforts
to help document the population of endangered black-footed ferrets in Aubrey
Valley and on the Double O Ranch, both near Seligman.
As part of the recovery
effort, the department has scheduled two five-night spotlighting events — Sept.
19-23 and Oct. 17-21. The spotlighting method involves
using high-powered lights to locate and identify black-footed ferrets. Their
eyeshine is reflected by the spotlight and helps surveyors with identifying and
locating these elusive, nocturnal carnivores.
Volunteers must have
the ability to stay attentive from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. while spotlighting for
black-footed ferrets and use, or learn how to use, a Global Positioning System
(GPS). Volunteers can sign up by emailing azferret@azgfd.gov –
with “fall spotlighting” in the subject line – by Sept. 13 for next month’s
project and Oct. 11 for the later event. Space is limited.
Volunteers are
reminded to include their full name, a contact phone number, month(s) and
night(s) available to spotlight, and full names of others who also will be
attending (a parent or guardian must accompany any youth under 18). Volunteers
also should note any equipment they can bring, such as GPS, clipboard,
headlamp, pen, binoculars, walkie-talkies, compass, cordless rechargeable
spotlight, backpack or 4X4 vehicle.
These events will be
conducted to assess the black-footed ferret population before winter. The
objectives include trapping those animals that were not caught in the spring,
to trap older ones that need a canine distemper or plague booster, and to trap
juveniles (or “kits”) to administer vaccinations.
For more information about the black-footed ferret recovery effort, visit the department’s website at www.azgfd.com/wildlife and click on “Nongame and Endangered Wildlife.”
