Conservation Biology and the Black-footed Ferret

The presentations and discussions clarified certain controversial issues in conservation and wildlife biology, including factors influencing the viability of small wild and captive populations, minimum viable population sizes in wild and captive populations, and the consequences of small founder numbers for recovery of the species. These papers were useful in the decision-making stage of the recovery program and will assist in the return of the species to the wild-the goal of a recovery program.