National Zoo Uses Internet to Name Endangered Ferret

Associated Press~

Animal lovers have helped name a 6-month-old endangered black-footed ferret born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.

The National Zoo says more than 1,000 people voted online to name the ferret 'Rosebud.' The winning name, which was announced Friday (November 4), represents Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, one of only 19 sites nationally, where black-footed ferrets are released in the wild after they are bred in captivity.'Rosebud' will remain in captivity for possible breeding.  She will also be on view on the National Zoo's ferret webcam.

The National Zoo is celebrating the 30th anniversary of rediscovery of the only ferret species native to North America.  It was thought extinct, but a small colony was discovered in 1981 in Wyoming.  Since then, the zoo has helped to recover the species.