# @firstgentmarlonreis on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DPzj7svDBWs
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35653072-firstgentmarlonreis-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f9fd488a0a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-10-14T22:01:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** First Gentleman Marlon Reis (@firstgentmarlonreis) — https://gondola.cc/firstgentmarlonreis

## Caption

Good Day, Friends,

Our National Parks are more than beautiful places to visit — they’re lifelines for many of America’s most endangered species.

The Black-Footed Ferret, once extinct in the wild, is making a comeback thanks to careful breeding programs and dedicated conservation work. But the current government shutdown is putting these efforts at risk,  resulting in Colorado’s rockynps and the National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center being unable to carry out planned reintroductions this Fall, and threatening the survival of 280 young Ferrets.

These incredible animals — reintroduced in eight States, as well as Canada and Mexico — deserve our protection, and the staff who care for them need the resources to do their jobs. It's a stark reminder that political decisions have real consequences for our parks, our wildlife, and our shared natural heritage. We must ensure National Parks and conservation programs get the support they need. #ProtectOurParks #BlackFootedFerret

The survival of Black-Footed Ferrets is closely tied to another remarkable species: Prairie Dogs. These small but mighty ambassadors of the shortgrass prairie create the burrows and habitat that Black-Footed Ferrets rely on, and they support hundreds of other species across the ecosystem.

Prairie Dogs will be the focus of the next event in my monthly Speaker Series on Animal Issues at the Governor’s Mansion, coming up on Tuesday, October 21st. I’m thrilled to be co-hosting  with our very own Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. An expert panel will shed light on the importance of Prairie Dogs as a Keystone Species, highlighting their critical role in sustaining wildlife from Black-Footed Ferrets to Western Burrowing Owls, Golden Eagles, American Badgers, and American Bison.

Prairie Dogs are so important that Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists them as a “Species of Greatest Conservation Need.”

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 20
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Tags

blackfootedferret, protectourparks

---
Copyright (c) Gondola