ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2021 Submission

The black-footed Ferret- a symbol of hope for Endangered species? When creating this piece I did a lot of research on the black-footed ferret. I originally chose this subject because they were cute, but after taking the time to learn more about this endangered species, I have realized they are so much more. This beautiful animal was first listed as extinct in 1979, then downgraded to endangered in1982. In 1996 they were again listed as extinct in the wild and again downgraded to endangered in 2008. Teetering on extinction for decades, but they still survive. They won’t give up and we shouldn’t give up on them either! In fact breeding programs have helped reintroduce black-footed ferrets back into the wild in their natural habits. And recently a black-footed Ferret named Elizabeth Ann was the first- ever clones U.S endangered species. To me this is hope for the future of Endangered animals in North America. My drawing shows the black-footed ferret alone in “superhero” stance.