ZGrmy
The elusive Island Fox
We were lucky enough to see the endangered Island Fox.
These creatures were brought to near extinction on the lslands by their main predator the Golden Eagle. Years ago as a result of the near extinction of the Bald Eagle, the Golden Eagle numbers grew higher and their main prey was the Island Fox.
This young fox came upon us just as we were headed for the boat going back to the mainland. I didn't have time to change lenses so I had to edit these pics. The top photo the fox was crossing the road right in front of about 4 or 5 of us who were lucky enough to be at the right place, right time. A small truck had just driven across the road behind the fox, thus kicking up dust that the wind blew across and almost completely blocked out the fox. I'm surprised I was able to edit the photo enough where you can actually see the fox.
The Island Fox was federally listed as endangered in 2004.
PLEASE visit this website to learn how people are fighting to save this beautiful creature.
**
www.nps.gov/chis/naturescience/island-fox.htm
Scientific Name
Urocyon littoralis
Introduction
The island fox only lives on six of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of southern California--they are found nowhere else on Earth. Each island population is recognized as a separate endemic or unique subspecies.
In 1999, Channel Islands National Park began an island fox recovery program that included captive breeding and reintroduction of foxes, removal of resident golden eagles, re-establishment of bald eagles, and removal of non-native ungulates.
The elusive Island Fox
We were lucky enough to see the endangered Island Fox.
These creatures were brought to near extinction on the lslands by their main predator the Golden Eagle. Years ago as a result of the near extinction of the Bald Eagle, the Golden Eagle numbers grew higher and their main prey was the Island Fox.
This young fox came upon us just as we were headed for the boat going back to the mainland. I didn't have time to change lenses so I had to edit these pics. The top photo the fox was crossing the road right in front of about 4 or 5 of us who were lucky enough to be at the right place, right time. A small truck had just driven across the road behind the fox, thus kicking up dust that the wind blew across and almost completely blocked out the fox. I'm surprised I was able to edit the photo enough where you can actually see the fox.
The Island Fox was federally listed as endangered in 2004.
PLEASE visit this website to learn how people are fighting to save this beautiful creature.
**
www.nps.gov/chis/naturescience/island-fox.htm
Scientific Name
Urocyon littoralis
Introduction
The island fox only lives on six of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of southern California--they are found nowhere else on Earth. Each island population is recognized as a separate endemic or unique subspecies.
In 1999, Channel Islands National Park began an island fox recovery program that included captive breeding and reintroduction of foxes, removal of resident golden eagles, re-establishment of bald eagles, and removal of non-native ungulates.