A blackfooted ferret brought to Wagon Mound from  Fish & Wildlife’s National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center near Fort Collins, Colo., shows its face in its new home. The ferrets were are raised in captivity and prepared for release at sites throughout the interior western United States. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F

Three boys assist with the release of black-footed ferrets into the wild near Wagon Mount. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F

This little ferret looks right at home. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F

In the wild, black-footed ferrets reside in prairie dog towns. They rely almost exclusively on prairie dogs, for food and for their burrows, which provide denning and shelter sites. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F

A girl scout encourages a ferret to head out into the wild. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F

A group of boys assist with the release of a black-footed ferret into the wild. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F

New Mexico Game And Fish Department released several black-footed ferrets into the wild near Wagon Mound over the weekend. The release location was only the third ever in the states, several years having passed since the last reintroduction attempt at the Vermejo Park Ranch in Colfax County, not too far away from this 500-acre black-tailed prairie dog town. Photo Courtesy NMDG&F