When the US Fish and Wildlife Service commissioned an updated version of the Black-Footed Ferret (BFF) Managed Care Operations Manual, they called on retired Louisville Zoo keeper Joanne Luyster to head the revision. Joanne has actively participated in black-footed ferret recovery since 1991.

With the aid and input of members of the BFF Species Survival Plan (SSP) committee, Joanne compiled a 230-page manual covering all aspects of managing black-footed ferrets in breeding facilities. The US Fish and Wildlife Service distributed the completed manual to all BFF SSP facilities this spring. These BFF SSP facilities will be tasked with contributing annual updates and revisions to this dynamic document.

Read more about the Louisville Zoo’s Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Program.