Outfoxing Extinction

You’d never know it today, but one of the world’s smallest species of foxes almost became extinct about 15 years ago. Known as the Channel Islands fox, it lives only on six of the eight islands in California’s Channel Islands. Thousands of foxes used to roam these islands.

But by the late 1990s, fewer than 200 foxes remained in the wild. They were declared endangered in 2004.

The National Park Service, scientists, veterinarians, and volunteers worked together to bring them back from the brink of extinction. Today, nearly 6,000 foxes live across the islands.

One of the world's smallest species of foxes almost became extinct. This happened about 15 years ago. You'd never know it today. The species is the Channel Islands fox. It only lives on six of the eight islands in California's Channel Islands. Thousands of foxes used to roam these islands.

But by the late 1990s, fewer than 200 Channel Islands foxes were left in the wild. They were declared endangered in 2004. 

The National Park Service, scientists, veterinarians, and volunteers worked together. They wanted to bring the population back. Today, nearly 6,000 foxes live on the islands. 

But by the late 1990s, “the ecosystem was really out of balance,” says Laura Shaskey. She is a wildlife biologist at Channel Islands National Park.

At the time, thousands of pigs lived on the islands. They were descended from pigs farmers brought in the 1800s. Also, human pollution caused bald eagles to die throughout the United States, including the Channel Islands, during the mid-1900s.

With the bigger bald eagles gone, golden eagles came to the islands. The golden eagles ate pigs and foxes for food. (The bald eagles had preferred fish.) “Over 90 percent of the fox population disappeared,” says Shaskey.

Scientists took action. In 1999, they worked with veterinarians to create a captive breeding program. The group bred foxes in captivity and released young foxes throughout the islands.

But by the late 1990s, "the ecosystem was really out of balance," says Laura Shaskey. She is a wildlife biologist. She works at Channel Islands National Park.

At the time, thousands of pigs lived on the islands. They were descended from pigs farmers brought there in the 1800s. Also, human pollution caused bald eagles to die. This happened during the mid-1900s throughout the United States. This includes the Channel Islands. 

When the bigger bald eagles left, golden eagles came to the islands. The golden eagles ate the pigs and foxes. (The bald eagles had preferred fish.) "Over 90 percent of the fox population disappeared," says Shaskey.

Scientists took action. In 1999, they worked with veterinarians. They created a captive breeding program. The group bred foxes in captivity. Then it released young foxes throughout the islands.

Next, scientists brought 61 young bald eagles to live in the region. They also removed the pigs and golden eagles from the islands.

The program was a huge success. The recovery was the fastest ever recorded for any animal on the endangered species list.

Shaskey knows the program’s work isn’t over. She and her crew monitor the fox populations. They track foxes with radio collars and microchips. They also vaccinate them against diseases. “I am very humbled to [be part of] such an amazing recovery,” Shaskey says.

Next, scientists brought 61 young bald eagles to live in the region. They also removed the pigs and golden eagles from the islands.

The program was a huge success. The foxes' recovery was the fastest ever recorded for any animal on the endangered species list.

Shaskey knows the program's work isn't over. She and her crew monitor the fox populations. They track foxes with radio collars. They also use microchips. Plus they vaccinate them against diseases. "I am very humbled to [be part of] such an amazing recovery," Shaskey says.

By 2000, only 15 foxes remained on Santa Rosa Island, one of the Channel Islands. Fill in the T-chart to the right. How many factor pairs do you have?

By 2000, only 15 foxes remained on Santa Rosa Island, one of the Channel Islands. Fill in the T-chart to the right. How many factor pairs do you have?