The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is a unique species found only on six of the eight Channel Islands along the coast of southern California. Channel Island Fox Habitat
The island fox’s size, habitat, and behavior make them very different from their closest relative the mainland gray fox. Each island fox population also faces different challenges. The foxes on the northern islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Catalina Island in the south were listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2004. More About the Island Fox
Friends of the Island Fox, Inc. works with government agencies, private conservation organizations, community groups, schools and individuals to support island fox conservation, research and public awareness.
Island fox survival is threatened by habitat imbalances created by human actions. The good news is current conservation efforts are improving both the island habitat and increasing island fox numbers. Captive breeding has allowed island fox species at the brink of extinction to make a come back.
Island Fox Status
National Park Islands
Santa Cruz Island foxes Endangered
- Decline noticed in 1994 - population 1,465
- Low point 2000: population 80
- Captive breeding starts in 2002 with: wild foxes (~50); captive foxes (12)
- January 2006: wild foxes (~149); captive foxes (62) plus new pups
- Captive breeding still taking place. Golden eagles remain a threat.
Santa Rosa Island foxes Endangered
- Decline noticed in 1994 - population 1,780
- Low point 2000: population 38
- Captive breeding starts in 2001 with: wild foxes (0); captive foxes (32)
- January 2006: wild foxes (~39); captive foxes (51) plus new pups
- Captive breeding still taking place. Golden eagles remain a threat.
San Miguel Island foxes Endangered
- Decline noticed in 1994 - population 450
- Low point 2000: population 15
- Captive breeding starts in 2001 with: wild foxes (1); captive foxes (21)
- January 2006: wild foxes (43); captive foxes (48) plus new pups
- Captive breeding still taking place. Golden eagles less of a threat.
Southern Islands
Santa Catalina Island foxes Endangered
- Decline noticed in 1994 - population 1,342
- Low point 2000: population 165
- Captive breeding starts in 2001 with: wild foxes (~200); captive foxes (30)
- January 2006: wild foxes (425); captive foxes (5)
- Captive breeding has been successful. All able foxes have been returned to wild.
San Clemente Island foxes
- Decline noticed in 1994 - population 1,003
- 2000: population ~500
- January 2006: wild foxes (~400); captive foxes in Zoos (13)
- Decline noticed in 1994 - population 550
- 2000: population ~734
- January 2006: wild foxes (~435)
Updated population numbers for all of the islands will be available in early July 2006.
Captive breeding, public awareness and habitat restoration are improving the status of the island fox, but we still have a long way to go to reach healthy stable population numbers.
You can help Save the Island Fox by supporting Friends of the Island Fox, Inc. and current conservation efforts on the Channel Islands.