Foxes on Catalina have busy this past year. The federally endangered animals have reached a new milestone of 1,542 individuals—a whopping increase of 534 foxes from just 1,008 recorded on the Island last year.

 

“This is very exciting news,” said Catalina Island Conservancy President and CEO Ann Muscat. “We are extremely proud of the work of our fox recovery team, and all other Conservancy staff and partners who have supported this effort.”

 

The Island’s fox population plummeted from an estimated 1,300 animals prior to 1999 to only about 100 in 2000, following an outbreak of canine distemper which threatened the species with possible extinction. After the Conservancy and partner the Institute for Wildlife Studies launched a recovery program which included captive breeding, vaccination, and monitoring, the population has been steadily increasing over the years.

 

“While conducting our field survey efforts it was apparent that the fox population had substantially increased since last year, but the outcome was well beyond our expectations,” said Julie King, senior wildlife biologist for the Conservancy who oversees recovery efforts.

 

The 10-week annual survey effort, led by King with assistance from Wildlife Biologists Calvin Duncan and Tyler Dvorak, used10 separate trap-lines and 400 live box trap sites. During the effort, 570 individual foxes were captured, 422 from the east end of the Island, and 128 from the smaller west end. Using population modeling software biologists, were able to extrapolate the survey data and calculate a population estimate of 1,542 individuals.

 

Of the foxes handled, more than 425 were vaccinated against canine distemper virus. Rabies, and blood samples were also collected in support of ongoing research initiatives. In addition to vaccinations, each fox received a health assessment, injuries were treated, and their age, sex, and weight was recorded. 

 

Radio collars on select foxes were inspected and replaced if needed. Currently there are 63 collared foxes on the Island that are actively monitored weekly using aerial telemetry.

 

While King and colleagues are excited about the increasing numbers, she is quick to point out that Catalina’s fox is not out of the woods just yet. Despite the ongoing efforts, the tiny animal still faces many threats including potential disease from unvaccinated pets or stowaway raccoons, vehicle trauma, feral cats, unleashed dogs, and other interactions with humans such as feeding. 

 

“We appreciate the support we have already received from our Island partners, and will look forward to continuing to work together to reduce and eliminate dangers to our foxes,” King said.

 

For the moment, the iconic Catalina Island fox continues to be officially listed as a federally endangered species. King says visitors to the interior are increasingly likely to see the shy animals during the day, and asks drivers to keep an eye out, and keep speeds down.

 

For addtional information, please see the LA Times story, "Catalina Island fox makes astounding comeback."