Mammals Uncovered

Klaus-Peter Koepfli, of the National Cancer Institute, gives a talk entitled "Molecular phylogenetics, biogeography, and evolutionary history of the Carnivora" at the National Museum of Natural History.

Black-footed Ferrets: The Road to Recovery - an illustrated lecture presented by Dr. Paul E. Marinari at the National Museum of Natural History on March 11, 2011. 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of bringing the remaining 18 black-footed ferrets into captivity from the wild. Today's population consists of approximately 280 animals in captivity and 1,000 in the wild. Nineteen colonies have been established in eight states, Mexico and Canada. Our speaker provided insights gathered from firsthand experience on this remarkable recovery and the future of these animals in the wild. This lecture was presented in memory of Dr. JoGayle Howard who passed away on March 5, 2011. Dr. Howard's studies on reproductive physiology at the National Zoo helped bring such critically endangered species as the black-footed ferret, cloud leopard, giant panda and Florida panther back from the brink of extinction. Dr. Suzan Murray gave a memorial presentation of Dr. Howard's work as an introduction to the lecture.