“…Despite ongoing success in the ex situ population, indications of inbreeding, inbreeding depression, and domestication are present. According to the Black-footed Ferret Species Survival Plan ( Garelle et al 2013 ), there has been a decrease in whelping rates in females and normal sperm in males ( Wolf et al 2000 ; Santymire et al 2006 , 2007 , 2014a , 2014b ) and changes in both male and female fecundity ( Santymire et al 2014a ,b). In other carnivoran species, these traits have been linked to inbreeding depression, e.g., in lions, Panthera leo , ( Munson et al 1996 ; Wildt et al 1987 ); cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus , ( Wildt et al 1983 ; O’Brien et al 1985 ); and Florida panthers ( Roelke et al 1993 ; Barone et al 1994 ).…”