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Endangered Sierra Fox Returns to Tahoe Basin
19 Mar
Summary
- An endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was recently sighted in Lake Tahoe.
- This is the first sighting in the region since the mid-1950s.
- Fewer than 50 of these rare carnivores remain between California and Oregon.
In a remarkable rediscovery, an endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was recently observed in the Blackwood Canyon area of the Lake Tahoe Basin. This sighting, captured on trail camera and released on November 13th, is the first documented instance of the species in this region since the mid-1950s.
The Sierra Nevada red fox, considered one of the rarest carnivores globally, faces critical endangerment with fewer than 50 individuals estimated to exist across California and Oregon. Researchers are employing trail cameras and wildlife collars to better understand the movements and habitats of these reclusive animals.
Population decline is attributed to factors including hunting, trapping, extreme weather, and interbreeding. Despite these challenges, recent sightings further north and a collared fox in the southern Sierra have provided encouraging signs, suggesting the population may be growing and expanding. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Sierra Nevada red fox as endangered in 2021.
