Black footed ferret denied extra protection

A petition by environmentalists demanding more protection for black-footed ferrets has been dismissed by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

WildEarth Guardians, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and Center for Native Ecosystems filed a petition last year to give full federal endangered species protection to black-footed ferrets on public lands.

The groups felt stricter protection was needed as the widespread shooting of prairie dogs is wiping out the ferrets only prey.

Despite this though, Fish and Wildlife said that the current level was "appropriate". The estimated 500 ferrets living in southeast Wyoming's Shirley Basin are currently listed as "nonessential, experimental" populations, allowing private landowners and wildlife managers more flexibility than if the animals had full endangered-species protection.