The ZAA In-Situ Conservation Award recognizes significant contributions to enhancing the conservation of an animal species in nature.  It is with great honor that ZAA awards the 2020 In Situ award to the Dakota Zoo for their work with black-footed ferrets.

Since 2013 the Dakota Zoo has assisted Prairie Wildlife Research and staff from the National Grasslands with spotlighting, capturing, vaccinating, microchipping, and rereleasing black-footed ferrets in the Conata Basin of South Dakota. In all they have committed $65,000 in labor, fuel and equipment expenses. A significant grant from Dakota Zoo funded the purchase of a “Laboratory on Wheels” that is used for field work with the ferrets. Dakota Zoo has set aside a portion of their paid admission and memberships towards their conservation fund and developed an interactive kiosk in their Discovery Center for visitors to understand how the conservation funds help wildlife. 

Award presentation: https://youtu.be/n18IWPKKzG4