Biosecurity is a major concern across the Channel Islands. Disease, especially viruses, can be introduced through unvaccinated pets, people, and wildlife species that are not native to the islands.
The island foxes on Catalina Island face the greatest potential biosecurity threat because their home is visited by millions of people
Friends of the Island Fox just purchased over $5,100 worth of vaccines to vaccinate 350 Catalina Island foxes this summer. Island foxes captured for health checks will receive two vaccinations:
- Canine distemper virus: It's the equivalent of measles in humans. This virus is highly lethal to island foxes and killed over 90% of the Catalina Island fox population between 1998–2000. Even with a great deal of human assistance, it took until 2016 for the population to recover.
- Rabies virus: Rabies is lethal to island foxes and dangerous to humans. Just like with dogs, the best protection is prevention.
It costs $20 to vaccinate and protect an island fox.
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Your donations help island foxes
This vaccine effort was funded by donors and a grant from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Wildlife Conservation Fund.
Biosecurity measures you can take when traveling to the islands