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These are domesticated ferrets that have been neutered and descented; they wouldn't make it 5 minutes outside alone. Estimates run that about 90% of all ferrets in the US are altered, making it impossible for them to run wild and form colonies. I did a study with several groups on predatory instincts in the domesticated ferret, and they sadly have absolutely no wild instinct left. The majority of ferrets for the pet trade in the United States are bred from two different farms, in mass numbers, similar to puppy mill breeding. Tony was found running loose, but based on his emaciated condition, he wasn't doing very well on his own. Polecats, on the other hand, aren't really available in the USA and retain their ancestor's wild instincts and can be a huge problem.
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