Kit Fox Survey and Distribution in Oregon
The kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) is a canid species that is sensitive to effects of perturbations in their semi-arid environment. The distribution of kit foxes at their northern periphery in Oregon is poorly defined. During 2024, we initiated a targeted inventory via camera-based survey for kit foxes based on locations in unsurveyed areas to fill in knowledge gaps; use data collected from our proposed survey, and previous surveys and other data, to construct a species distribution map (i.e., habitat suitability) for kit foxes; and develop recommendations for wildlife and land management using a landscape-scale approach that includes multiple land uses, considers other wildlife species of conservation interest (e.g., greater sage-grouse [Centrocercus urophasianus]), and potentially identifies conservation hotspots based on overlapping areas of conservation concern. This project builds upon our previous research (see our page on Kit Fox Ecology).
The Great Basin Desert of southeastern Oregon defines the northern extent of the distribution of the kit fox, a species which became state-listed as threatened under the Oregon Endangered Species Act by grandfathering from the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s earlier informal list dating from 1975 (Hiller 2011). The Oregon Conservation Strategy also lists the kit fox as a Strategy Species that is difficult to survey due to its small physical size, nocturnal behavior, and low population densities in the Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion in Oregon (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2006). Although records were sparse, there have been efforts to document kit fox occurrence in Oregon using various survey methods (e.g., scent-stations, spotlighting). Until confirmation of presence during summer 2012 (Milburn and Hiller 2013), the most recent kit fox detection in Oregon was almost 2 decades ago. A camera-based survey during 2012 resulted in a Conservation Assessment of the Kit Fox produced by Oregon Wildlife Institute. During xx, we assisted with research on space use and cover selection of kit foxes in Oregon, with our results published in Eckrich et al. 2018.
The kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) is a canid species that is sensitive to effects of perturbations in their semi-arid environment. The distribution of kit foxes at their northern periphery in Oregon is poorly defined. During 2024, we initiated a targeted inventory via camera-based survey for kit foxes based on locations in unsurveyed areas to fill in knowledge gaps; use data collected from our proposed survey, and previous surveys and other data, to construct a species distribution map (i.e., habitat suitability) for kit foxes; and develop recommendations for wildlife and land management using a landscape-scale approach that includes multiple land uses, considers other wildlife species of conservation interest (e.g., greater sage-grouse [Centrocercus urophasianus]), and potentially identifies conservation hotspots based on overlapping areas of conservation concern. This project builds upon our previous research (see our page on Kit Fox Ecology).
The Great Basin Desert of southeastern Oregon defines the northern extent of the distribution of the kit fox, a species which became state-listed as threatened under the Oregon Endangered Species Act by grandfathering from the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s earlier informal list dating from 1975 (Hiller 2011). The Oregon Conservation Strategy also lists the kit fox as a Strategy Species that is difficult to survey due to its small physical size, nocturnal behavior, and low population densities in the Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion in Oregon (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2006). Although records were sparse, there have been efforts to document kit fox occurrence in Oregon using various survey methods (e.g., scent-stations, spotlighting). Until confirmation of presence during summer 2012 (Milburn and Hiller 2013), the most recent kit fox detection in Oregon was almost 2 decades ago. A camera-based survey during 2012 resulted in a Conservation Assessment of the Kit Fox produced by Oregon Wildlife Institute. During xx, we assisted with research on space use and cover selection of kit foxes in Oregon, with our results published in Eckrich et al. 2018.
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Previous Research: While working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife during the first part of the study on space use and cover selection of kit foxes in Oregon, Tim Hiller, Executive Director of Wildlife Ecology Institute, was able to be the first to ever capture and radio-collar a kit fox in Oregon. Results are published in Eckrich et al. 2018. |
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Our current camera-based survey includes Harney and Malheur counties, and portions of Lake County, in southeastern Oregon. Cross-hatched areas indicate previously surveyed areas, in which detections of kit foxes may or may not have occurred. We are focusing on unsurveyed areas, generally outside of the cross-hatched areas. |
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We are using standardized protocols for our camera-based survey in southeastern Oregon, including motion-sensing infrared cameras positioned about 1 m above ground and directed at an olfactory attractant coupled with a visual attractant. This general approach has been used for decades for kit foxes and other wildlife species. |
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We detected this kit fox in an unsurveyed area in Malheur County during October 2024. Although we expect that many sites will not result in detections, this will help provide important information for our species distribution model. |
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