Sierra Nevada Red Foxes In California (page under construction!)
The southern Sierra Nevada of California is within the historical range of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator; SNRF). Due to so few SNRF existing in isolated populations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment as Endangered in 2021 under the federal Endangered Species Act. A lack of survey effort in the southern Sierra Nevada has hindered recovery and conservation efforts in this area. If no action is taken, making informed conservation decisions to improve population status and connectivity for SNRF will be more challenging.
The SNRF Conservation Advisory Team (SCAT), in which Wildlife Ecology Institute was a member, recently finalized the document, A Conservation Strategy for the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, which specifically highlights the southern Sierra Nevada as a high priority region requiring additional surveys to fully understand the size and range extent for SNRF. Our project goal is to determine SNRF occupancy, and to identify potential unoccupied areas suitable for potential translocation of SNRF, in case this becomes necessary for improving the future status of SNRF. The southern Sierra Nevada has been identified as a priority recovery location for SNRF because of the vast amount of protected alpine habitat.
We are conducting remote camera-trap surveys and genetic sampling within the southern extent of the SNRF’s historic range to determine the species distribution and genetic health in this region, as foundational support for future conservation and recovery planning for SNRF. Informed conservation decision-making must be supported with accurate and complete information. Focused data collection efforts for any detections of this subspecies may improve and inform conservation decisions. This includes updating existing habitat models and species recovery efforts, such as potential translocations (population augmentations or reintroductions, depending on circumstances) of SNRF into areas that contain suitable habitat, as a conservation benefit to increase the statewide population and distribution, and improve population fitness. Implementing these recovery actions requires a thorough understanding of the species distribution and genetic integrity (i.e., genetic diversity and relatedness to other SNRF populations) throughout their range, especially within regions where reintroductions are planned.
Our field work starts during mid-2022 and ends during late 2024. Look for periodic updates about our progress!
The southern Sierra Nevada of California is within the historical range of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator; SNRF). Due to so few SNRF existing in isolated populations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment as Endangered in 2021 under the federal Endangered Species Act. A lack of survey effort in the southern Sierra Nevada has hindered recovery and conservation efforts in this area. If no action is taken, making informed conservation decisions to improve population status and connectivity for SNRF will be more challenging.
The SNRF Conservation Advisory Team (SCAT), in which Wildlife Ecology Institute was a member, recently finalized the document, A Conservation Strategy for the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, which specifically highlights the southern Sierra Nevada as a high priority region requiring additional surveys to fully understand the size and range extent for SNRF. Our project goal is to determine SNRF occupancy, and to identify potential unoccupied areas suitable for potential translocation of SNRF, in case this becomes necessary for improving the future status of SNRF. The southern Sierra Nevada has been identified as a priority recovery location for SNRF because of the vast amount of protected alpine habitat.
We are conducting remote camera-trap surveys and genetic sampling within the southern extent of the SNRF’s historic range to determine the species distribution and genetic health in this region, as foundational support for future conservation and recovery planning for SNRF. Informed conservation decision-making must be supported with accurate and complete information. Focused data collection efforts for any detections of this subspecies may improve and inform conservation decisions. This includes updating existing habitat models and species recovery efforts, such as potential translocations (population augmentations or reintroductions, depending on circumstances) of SNRF into areas that contain suitable habitat, as a conservation benefit to increase the statewide population and distribution, and improve population fitness. Implementing these recovery actions requires a thorough understanding of the species distribution and genetic integrity (i.e., genetic diversity and relatedness to other SNRF populations) throughout their range, especially within regions where reintroductions are planned.
Our field work starts during mid-2022 and ends during late 2024. Look for periodic updates about our progress!
Contemporary species distribution model based on the best-available science for use to help prioritize and systematically survey critical areas within the southern Sierra Nevada as described in the Conservation Strategy (C. Stermer, In prep.). Areas in red are generally highest elevation locations, which will be priority survey areas
PROJECT PARTNERS
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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