Which endangered North American mammal was rediscovered near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981?

The endangered North American mammal rediscovered near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981 was the black-footed ferret.

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is a mustelid closely tied to prairie-dog colonies across the Great Plains. It is mainly nocturnal and solitary, and prairie dogs can make up as much as 90% of its diet.

The species was declared extinct in 1979, so the Meeteetse discovery was a major conservation surprise. The Wyoming population later reached about 130 animals, but disease—especially sylvatic plague and canine distemper—caused another severe decline. Survivors captured from 1985 to 1987 became the foundation of an ex situ breeding program.

A common mix-up is confusing it with the American marten, fisher, or swift fox. Those are different North American carnivores; the black-footed ferret is distinguished by its dark feet and mask-like facial markings. Reintroduction programs have since returned captive-bred ferrets to parts of their historic range.