View The 2005 Annual Fox Report
Catalina Island Fox Ecology
The Catalina Island fox (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) has been resident on the Island for at least 4,000 years. The Catalina Island fox is the largest endemic mammal on the Island. A descendent of the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), it is one of the six recognized subspecies of the Island Gray fox (Urocyon littoralis) that live on six of the California Channel Islands. This subspecies is found only on Catalina Island.
The Catalina Island Fox
There are differing theories about how the fox came to be on the Island. One theory is that they came from the mainland by floating across the channel on logs or other debris, often during stormy conditions. Another theory is that fox may have been brought to Catalina by the first people to inhabit the Island.
Catalina Island fox footprint
An adult fox weighs 4-6 pounds. This is about 25% smaller than the size of its mainland ancestors. Although diminutive, the fox is Catalina's largest terrestrial predator. An omnivore, its diet includes mice, lizards, birds, berries, insects, and cactus fruit. Taking advantage of many food resources enhances the fox's chance of survival on the island. Foxes are often active throughout the day, but primarily forage at dawn and dusk.
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Foxes are primarily monogamous. Males and females can most often be seen together during the January through March breeding season. Gestation lasts 50-53 days and they have an average litter of 2-3 pups. Family groups stay together in and around the den until early summer, when the young are able to begin foraging with their parents. By early fall, parents leave the natal area, and the juveniles are left on their own until they set out to establish their own territories by early winter. Juvenile foxes will be ready to mate at the end of their first year.
Overcoming Near Extinction
In the early 1990s, scientists estimated that 1300 foxes were living on Catalina. In 1999, following an outbreak of canine distemper virus, the Catalina Island fox population plummeted to only about 100 individuals.
Conservancy wildlife biologists vaccinate a wild fox
The Conservancy and the Institute for Wildlife Studies — a conservation organization with prior experience working with the Conservancy on Catalina — formulated a three-pronged approach to conserve Catalina’s endemic fox, which included captive breeding, vaccinating against canine distemper, and wild fox population monitoring. Because of this program, by December of 2004, over 300 foxes roamed the Island. Approximately 60% of those animals were vaccinated against distemper and 29 were born in the Conservancy’s captive breeding facility. Because of the program’s success, the Conservancy was able to end the Captive Breeding Phase and enter a new phase of rigorous monitoring.
In March of 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Catalina Island Fox, along with three other island fox subspecies, as “Endangered.” Conservancy scientists are hopeful that the recovery effort will have protected the species and that it may prosper for years to come.
In early 2006, the population of the Catalina fox was estimated at nearly 400. Conservation scientists are now investigating the prevalence and causes of the usually fatal ear tumors that are now affecting the fox on Catalina.
What you can do?
Drawing the Catalina Island fox population back to healthy numbers is a serious, high priority project. For your safety and theirs:
- KEEP ALL DOGS ON LEASH WHILE IN THE INTERIOR.
- PICK UP AND PROPERLY DISPOSE OF YOUR PETS’ WASTE WHILE IN THE INTERIOR.
- VACCINATE YOUR PETS (DOGS & CATS) ANNUALLY
- DO NOT FEED ANY WILDLIFE. All wildlife, including foxes, needs a healthy "wild" diet. This includes not leaving food and water outside unattended for your pets. Feed your pets indoors so foxes are not attracted to your pet’s food.
- ALWAYS DRIVE SLOWLY (25 mph) Be alert for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.
- If you see a hurt, injured or dead fox, please do not attempt to move it. Please call the Catalina Island Conservancy at (310) 510-1299 or (310) 510-3102 to report it. Please report sightings of live foxes to the Catalina Island Conservancy's Conservation Department, (310) 510-1299.
- For information on how to make a donation for Island fox research, one of the Catalina Island Conservancy's projects, volunteer your time, or become a member please call (310) 510 2595 ext 114, or log onto www.catalinaconservancy.org.
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