The US National Park struggle threatens one of the rarest animals in North America during the shutdown of the government

The American National Park continues to be in controversial centers as the government’s closure enters the second week. Without federal financing, National Parks across the country are closing the visitor center and working with the spinal staff while trying to accommodate thousands of daily visitors.

Keeping the National Park open during closing has proven to be controversial decision, with Former NPS employees demand their closure before closing become formal. However, National Park Service Contingency Plan Published on September 30, one day before the closure, stipulating that Parks remained accessible as possible, creating a headache for the remaining staff.

Concerns to the National Park during the closure is not just about the behavior of the visitors. As a protected environment, important conservation work is always within the boundaries of the park. The conservation work is now in line, and one of the most endangered species of America can pay the final price.

The black ferret of the foot is one of the most endangered North American mammals in the wild. All of their current population is the result of careful introduction programs, especially in collaboration with the National Park site. A program at Rocky Mountain National Park at Colorado risked because of the closure of the current government.

Colorado is one of the black ferret recovery centers, with National Black Ferret Conservation Center Located in Carr, Colorado. The location houses more than 200 captive ferrets, part of the important captive breeding program that is important for the survival of the species.

Running by US fish and wildlife services, the conservation center is placed on ice when the government is closed and the Federal Financing is expiring. As a result, the re-introduction of 15 locations, including the Rocky Mountain National Park, of the 280 ferrets captured by the fallen prisoners of the fall is on pause forever.

According to US fish and wildlife services, Optional windows to release black foot ferret in September and OctoberWhile the captured kit (young ferret) is about 18 weeks old and moves towards independence. With the windows quickly closed, continuous closure can affect the ability of the ferret to live in their wild habitat.

The black foot ferret is a critical endangered mammal from the Great Plains and the North American Desert. Historically, they range from southern Canada, through most US, and north of Mexico.

Mammal Small Grass was driven by extinction in the late 1900s, and was declared extinct in the wild in 1979, but small wildlife was discovered in 1981 in Wyoming. Residents of 18 ferrets have been arrested for captive breeding, just like a successful process used to save California Condor from extinction along the west coast.

They are 18 ferrets have proven to be the key to saving species. Successful captivity breeding is allowed for final re -introduction, including the endangered program at the Rocky Mountain National Park.

So far, black ferret has been re -introduced in eight states, as well as Canada and Mexico. There is a wild black ferret population at:

• Wyoming

• Monsoon

• South Dakota

• Arizona

• Colorado

• Utah, Kansas

• New Mexico

There are about 400 wild black foot ferrets throughout these states. Although still listed as endangered species, the success of the re -introduction program, together with increasing their original habitat protection through the National Park site, giving this small mammal an opportunity.

Unfortunately for black -legged ferret, their upward trajectory is being threatened by more than just the closure of the current government. As part of the cessation of sweeping in the Federal Department in February and March 2025, many officers working on the black ferret recovery project have been canceled.

In Interview with Utah Public Radio After the termination, Tina Jackson, a black ferret recovery coordinator for US fish and wildlife services fired for her status as a trial worker, expressed concern over the ferret population in the face of financing and staff cutting:

“You are a kind of responsible for this species that are still, to be honest, on the verge of extinction … Each time there is such a setback, whether it is a biological decline, a disease outbreak, a budget cutting or a staff cut, that’s something that sets back recovery.”

The process of reproduction, raising, and releasing any wild animals is intensive of time, and without consistent staff, the basic requirements cannot be met. Without consistent staff, programs across the Rocky Mountain region are struggling to continue to focus on endangered species.

Unfortunately, unless the closure of the government ends in time, Colorado release planned from the black foot ferret is unlikely, as no staff exists to coordinate efforts. Back from the threshold, the loss of 280 young individuals for wild population will address the huge blow to long -term conservation efforts from black ferrets.