Researchers Recapture Rare Red Foxes in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Photo: Lassen Volcanic National Park

State wildlife biologists in Lassen Volcanic National Park have been trying to learn about the Sierra Nevada’s rare red fox for the past 30 years. Although the foxes have proved to be very elusive over the decades, researchers are finally making gains to learn about their lives as a high-elevation winter mammal.

Researchers recaptured a pair of mating Sierra Nevada red foxes just south of Lassen Park on February 20. The team was able to replace their non-functioning GPS systems in order to track them and learn key characteristics about the animal. These are the same red foxes they were able to capture in the winter of 2018.

Data gathered from this ongoing research provides critical insight into one of California’s rarest mammals and perhaps Lassen’s most tenacious winter resident.

Photo: Lassen Volcanic National Park

In 1980, the red fox was listed as a threatened animal in California. When scientists attempted to intensify their studies of the animal in 2008, they were committed to capturing one for study. In 2018, these are the first two they’ve caught, and now their tracking devices will allow scientists to understand the red fox’s home range and how it uses its habitat. They also hope to learn about its den sites and reproductive rates.

The Sierra Nevada red fox once thrived in the mountainous areas of Northern California, including the Lassen area and the Sacramento Valley. But populations have declined immensely in the past century, likely because the size of their unique high-elevation habitat has shrunk.

Much has already been learned by the two captured red foxes. For example, the male fox traveled seven miles a day around the peaks in Lassen, a surprisingly quick travel rate. Now that scientists can track the animals, they will have an easier time locating and capturing the others in the den. The researchers hope to capture at least four more red foxes in the next calendar year.

Although you may not see them, vast species of wildlife call NorCal wilderness their home. It’s so much fun to be able to learn about these creatures and their habits. Isn’t science cool?


Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

12 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks,
    However I am experiencing problems with your RSS.
    I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it.
    Is there anybody having identical RSS problems?
    Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  2. Do you have a spam issue on this site; I
    also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have
    created some nice practices and we are looking to
    swap methods with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  3. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the
    book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics
    to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog.
    An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

  4. You could certainly see your skills in the article you write.
    The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they
    believe. At all times follow your heart.

  5. Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and
    gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell
    to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched
    her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  6. It is appropriate time to make some plans for
    the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I may just I want to counsel you
    some attention-grabbing things or tips. Maybe you can write
    subsequent articles referring to this article. I want to read even more
    things approximately it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button