California

Island Fox – Urocyon littoralis

• Status – Near threatened
• Estimated numbers – Approximately 5,500
• Population trend – steady increase
• Location – Island Foxes are restricted to the six largest of the eight California Channel Islands
• Why are they under threat – Predation by non-native Golden Eagles led to a catastrophic decline on the three northern islands (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel) during the 1990s, but aggressive management actions have greatly reduced this threat. A decline on Santa Catalina Island was due to the canine distemper virus, probably introduced by a raccoon that “stowed-away” on a boat from the mainland.
• What can you do – Give to the research and conservation programmes led by Friends of the Island Fox.
• Species foundation – www.islandfox.org