craigdailypress.com

Mike Albee is convinced that he had the best job the Bureau of Land Management ever offered.

His work as a wildlife biologist let him have "hands-on" experience with the endangered black-footed ferret.

Heading into retirement, Albee recalls his last assignment fondly.

"I was extremely lucky," Albee said. "It's very unusual for the BLM to be in the business of raising wildlife."

Looking back on his 25 years with the BLM, Albee said his primary duty was resource protection, keeping wildlife out of danger during gas and oil exploration operations in Northwest Colorado and Utah.

But he gained a new love for his job when he got involved with the ferret program about 13 years ago. "That's when I really got into it," Albee said. "Working with the animals was the most fun part."

His job included breeding and pre-conditioning ferrets in large outdoor pens to prepare them to be released into the wild. Teaching the ferrets how to find food and fend for themselves in the wild was a major undertaking, but it also was rewarding.

He said the black-footed ferret populations are still struggling in Colorado, but his hopes took a big leap this year with the discovery of black-footed ferret born in the wild.

"That was encouraging," Albee said. "Nationwide, we're making progress, but Colorado still has a way to go."

Albee is looking forward to spending his retirement finishing the house he and his wife, Jeannie, started building six years ago. He also wants to spend time with his grandkids and go fishing.

A retirement party is planned for Albee and fellow BLM worker Pam Golden at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Center of Craig, 600 Yampa Ave.

Dan Olsen can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 207, or at dolsen@craigdailypress.com.