tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164272792024-03-17T20:02:43.044-07:00Friends of the Island FoxReference materials on Channel Island fox: its biology, behavior, habitat, research, endangered status and conservation efforts. Home of Friends of the Island Fox a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. FIF is dedicated to preserving the island fox in the wild and providing education outreach to schools and communities.Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-16224187198321185492024-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:002024-03-15T09:00:00.138-07:00FIF 2023 Research Grant to Investigate Individual Island Fox Impact<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN5_Hz0NcgM_J7vqhVx_XC_NrpylonqxfK5cqhb2hhRPmmImkwV8gmmDTvOTe0w9RbDX5FyixLYQKvXk3C9XJFwvP5_qWu6pJbx2kK0Yed078280-Qml3Sj1jZmuUfF0oq5gZUlApnK-7_FakO-eOBBttpptyVzMEljFt1Sa19xIAAzXdJwk4gQ/s1260/stop-to-smell-the-flowers-crpped-web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1260" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN5_Hz0NcgM_J7vqhVx_XC_NrpylonqxfK5cqhb2hhRPmmImkwV8gmmDTvOTe0w9RbDX5FyixLYQKvXk3C9XJFwvP5_qWu6pJbx2kK0Yed078280-Qml3Sj1jZmuUfF0oq5gZUlApnK-7_FakO-eOBBttpptyVzMEljFt1Sa19xIAAzXdJwk4gQ/w421-h269/stop-to-smell-the-flowers-crpped-web.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">FIF awarded a second Research Grant in 2023 to Juliann Schamel, NPS biologist and graduate student in Ecology and Conservation at University of Aberdeen, Scotland... <br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJGE0dbDqfYALbUCYvBCsEQvxvbzkU003XUQFa4mmbvnrrzRw9Qu24vk7xMNo_fh5l9gS3GQFzCuMIfe-rHVvZLQvu1hhpyJNMiciDzwDsawmxY9oYd3_ItSJqYk1nmh5ZBeaz1kwInUhpilcnrW08ZskV_EC9sRnpvCQpH-icKk-jiFypEvIGg/s961/J-Schamel-crpped-web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="720" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJGE0dbDqfYALbUCYvBCsEQvxvbzkU003XUQFa4mmbvnrrzRw9Qu24vk7xMNo_fh5l9gS3GQFzCuMIfe-rHVvZLQvu1hhpyJNMiciDzwDsawmxY9oYd3_ItSJqYk1nmh5ZBeaz1kwInUhpilcnrW08ZskV_EC9sRnpvCQpH-icKk-jiFypEvIGg/w280-h373/J-Schamel-crpped-web.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juliann Schamel in the field with island fox<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">and Dr. Alexandria DeCandia, biology professor at Georgetown University</span>... <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW0Pk0FlehBl0MuhAQnXHAxwtBbKnb7mCedGqIPfhHL819DXHxiJ3xRwMHcTpEKuqn0HyldaTv-gf4VUhaes2FzkjHRniYs8ohuvTK9ypTBaCL4jJfKAo6cQ02KeqCeVKB3EMYucisr0s85Ra8qNzMzf-Yj42up2Jv6iKfYloCLaTdVPNGDbfDw/s600/Allie-Headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW0Pk0FlehBl0MuhAQnXHAxwtBbKnb7mCedGqIPfhHL819DXHxiJ3xRwMHcTpEKuqn0HyldaTv-gf4VUhaes2FzkjHRniYs8ohuvTK9ypTBaCL4jJfKAo6cQ02KeqCeVKB3EMYucisr0s85Ra8qNzMzf-Yj42up2Jv6iKfYloCLaTdVPNGDbfDw/s320/Allie-Headshot.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Alexandria DeCandia<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">for their project: <b>From Microbes to Habitats: How Individual Fox Foraging Behavior Cascades Through an Ecosystem</b>.</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Schamel and De Candia are combining their respective work in <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/04/island-foxes-and-beach-foods.html" target="_blank">stable isotope diet analysis</a></b> and <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/12/island-fox-microbiome-at-smithsonian.html" target="_blank"><b>microbiome research</b></a> to investigate the specific interconnections between 15 male island foxes and the island ecosystem. The team says, "Recent research has revealed that the island fox displays a high level of individual specialization, from <b>their diet</b>, to <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/04/investigating-relationship-between.html" target="_blank">activity patterns</a></b>, to the germination rate of scat-dispersed native seeds." This work builds on stable isotope diet analysis that Schamel presented at the Channel Island Symposium that demonstrated that <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/03/stable-isotopes-document-decade-of.html" target="_blank"><b>diet specialization is occurring on Santa Rosa Island</b></a>. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eOMmwHBMZPO19DXXaDk2sHY0r3EjmYKrZQ2iIFwvAaoP4iIAfcCSVzie6cKWCiqIiwKB_vAlOFbbsWnfOiuNalt2enTEU4Pe3K_jG8s18qt4bFWT7eChg8WFjsk0oTkdm8VlJCBPcpIT9lh1MvUUXTRcU-a1t1GaBx0Tbw-SC2hPlZBHovZfjw/s1080/20220207_ElderGPScollarweb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1080" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eOMmwHBMZPO19DXXaDk2sHY0r3EjmYKrZQ2iIFwvAaoP4iIAfcCSVzie6cKWCiqIiwKB_vAlOFbbsWnfOiuNalt2enTEU4Pe3K_jG8s18qt4bFWT7eChg8WFjsk0oTkdm8VlJCBPcpIT9lh1MvUUXTRcU-a1t1GaBx0Tbw-SC2hPlZBHovZfjw/s320/20220207_ElderGPScollarweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GPS radio collar deployed on Santa Rosa Island<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The 15 island foxes to be studied were part of a territory range investigation monitoring island fox movement with <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/11/fif-research-grant-to-investigate.html" target="_blank">GPS radio collars by FIF 2021 Research Grant recipient Katie Elder.</a> </b>The final collection of data occurred in December 2023 when the island foxes were recaptured and their GPS collars removed.<b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Combining specific daily movement data (over the course of a year) with stable isotope diet data from individual whisker samples and microbiome swabs of gut microfloral offers a unique window into the lives of these individual island foxes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlcPN9a-iFlXTQxdDxnslnFQDoBGC-Hcy1jhClxW_jjZyW2kfFvSnxyy4QHGojeX0q1JhRfWN1gCBcrjypyUll4gWDEZJmj7KGPPm8wKNYS_jB6O87Gtk-Wt2fhGz_NuVscFeP555FNwh6jAseXZ-5ywdJxW4XgE-U9b_vl1CVQwFcm7rrJIl8w/s1080/Swab-Sample-CIC2021-Watlingweb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlcPN9a-iFlXTQxdDxnslnFQDoBGC-Hcy1jhClxW_jjZyW2kfFvSnxyy4QHGojeX0q1JhRfWN1gCBcrjypyUll4gWDEZJmj7KGPPm8wKNYS_jB6O87Gtk-Wt2fhGz_NuVscFeP555FNwh6jAseXZ-5ywdJxW4XgE-U9b_vl1CVQwFcm7rrJIl8w/w381-h220/Swab-Sample-CIC2021-Watlingweb.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Microbiome sample swabs<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's easy to assume that island foxes, as a species, have a specifically defined relationship with plants and animals in the island ecosystem. However, Schamel's island fox dietary data has revealed a great deal of individualism in dietary choice, especially when resources are abundant. Some island foxes are eating <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/04/island-foxes-and-beach-foods.html" target="_blank">beach foods</a></b>, some are <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2007/09/island-foxes-eat-fruit.html" target="_blank">fruit</a></b> specialists, others prey predominantly on <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2019/09/fif-research-grant-to-investigate.html" target="_blank">deer mice</a></b>.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkDf5pnMhYKQA0w4WPbzUODMHv1BXlhiVuzScpyN_EC7E9f0YGpKSlP37xMbD2tRNHU0H0QojwPsmTDQFwMZjXtStqrm-Wye4ericwwGT49DmiNTyC8PMQwnyX06ugC3BX7PYS3kxhl40qX6c9FPTEI58_SMmsIPCPjMOEvweG5TFUh5iP9Pp0A/s600/whisker-collection-web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkDf5pnMhYKQA0w4WPbzUODMHv1BXlhiVuzScpyN_EC7E9f0YGpKSlP37xMbD2tRNHU0H0QojwPsmTDQFwMZjXtStqrm-Wye4ericwwGT49DmiNTyC8PMQwnyX06ugC3BX7PYS3kxhl40qX6c9FPTEI58_SMmsIPCPjMOEvweG5TFUh5iP9Pp0A/w353-h353/whisker-collection-web.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island fox whisker sample being collected<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This investigation will try to reveal "a more holistic understanding of island foxes," DeCandia says. "[H]ost-associated microbes are critical to ... digestion and immunity,... By linking gut microbial communities with individual diet, movement, and activity patterns, we can begin to untangle the eco-evolutionary factors shaping these island hosts, their microbes, and the ecosystem in which they live."</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeZh81QhXEIW3QJpnBLQi8F275MX6R-Q6_XJPCzbmR136AxMYm4gAAsMZTgXnJx65u70O_ku2I2lFfoTqSua3YkvEZl1ycsyu_210DM91iYmYh0-x8E9p7XEIWLuAysIcv1_AoVMz7ty2d05-ic3chRnFP6z385GnpQXeHmu8vXeI36FOCM_udA/s900/Microbiome.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="900" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeZh81QhXEIW3QJpnBLQi8F275MX6R-Q6_XJPCzbmR136AxMYm4gAAsMZTgXnJx65u70O_ku2I2lFfoTqSua3YkvEZl1ycsyu_210DM91iYmYh0-x8E9p7XEIWLuAysIcv1_AoVMz7ty2d05-ic3chRnFP6z385GnpQXeHmu8vXeI36FOCM_udA/w435-h354/Microbiome.png" width="435" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparing microbiome of island fox and island spotted skunk, A. DeCandia<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox is proud to invest in this cutting-edge, multidisciplinary scientific investigation that brings together academic and governmental organizations and investigators. Whisker samples will be processed and analyzed by Julianne Schamel and Seth Newsome at the Center for Stable Isotopes at the University of New Mexico. DNA from microbiome swabs will be extracted by Alexandria DeCandia at the Center for Conservation Genomics at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Undergraduate researchers at Georgetown University, University of New Mexico, and California State University Channel Islands will actively participate in sample collection, laboratory preparation, data analysis and interpretation, and co-authorship of findings. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your donations help grow scientific knowledge and the next generation of scientists! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Applications for FIF's 2024 Research Grant </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">will be available March 22</span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-78844566336409886572024-03-08T18:17:00.000-08:002024-03-08T18:46:14.735-08:00Stable Isotopes Document Decade of Dietary Change in Island Foxes <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujrAfCuI7HycpppUeq52aDqAP1uRjfjd1RDrXG4IQD44EkjrPnIKzKNOfXZ_YjHw1K9SPOWrGUnK6DC0ZO6kOvDAzDzurUu5d3pulqUIKBlEUnra7ScwmktLukWXQrqY2OWj2B8W3VjHOR_BkBNg3-o2exoUQzxrp6UAF7UWXkUI_Ti29EJsRdw/s480/JSchamelNPSweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="328" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujrAfCuI7HycpppUeq52aDqAP1uRjfjd1RDrXG4IQD44EkjrPnIKzKNOfXZ_YjHw1K9SPOWrGUnK6DC0ZO6kOvDAzDzurUu5d3pulqUIKBlEUnra7ScwmktLukWXQrqY2OWj2B8W3VjHOR_BkBNg3-o2exoUQzxrp6UAF7UWXkUI_Ti29EJsRdw/w287-h419/JSchamelNPSweb.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Juliann Schamel has been researching island fox diet using <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2018/09/fif-research-grant-to-investigate.html" target="_blank">stable isotopes in whisker samples since 2018</a></b>. Friends of the Island Fox has supported the processing of whisker samples through <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/island-fox-research.html" target="_blank"><b>several Research Grants</b></a>. In November of 2023, Schamel presented the following poster of her latest work at the California Islands Symposium.</span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Using Stable Isotopes to Assess a Decade of Dietary Resource Use in Two Sympatric Island Endemics: The Island Fox and the Island Spotted Skunk (<a href="http://www.islandfox.org/Fox%20Research/cis_isotope_poster_2023_v2.2_jschamel.pdf" target="_blank">link to complete poster</a>)</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/08/island-foxes-and-island-spotted-skunks.html" target="_blank">Island foxes and island spotted skunks live together on two islands, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz</a>.</b> When island fox numbers crashed due to <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2019/07/bald-eagles-thriving-and-maintaining.html" target="_blank"><b>predation by golden eagles</b></a>, island spotted skunk numbers appeared to increase dramatically. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In 2011,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> on Santa Rosa Island, there were still fewer than 90 island foxes in the wild. During <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/an-island-fox-gets-health-check-part-2.html" target="_blank">annual health checks</a></b>, whisker samples were collected from both island foxes and island spotted skunks in a northern area of the island and stored for later analysis of what food resources each species was using.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQESsHC8_EOfQ-Zl1g_DFO10-G9p9GJYEKzQwXa4gZByHXhpe5QiZ7tv46cMQRwLBR82SUjhxJ68sSaunvRZuD6utG8tE4-Gl2g2vc5dVeoAxVXM2oKI9jst9DorMbbjvqXGUmm9C1TXijQW0cI7F-wBBX5MuQ-hxqQyPARjjHQRqGHJ0F_75vg/s1440/Rosamap-and-if-iss-graph-JSchamel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1440" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQESsHC8_EOfQ-Zl1g_DFO10-G9p9GJYEKzQwXa4gZByHXhpe5QiZ7tv46cMQRwLBR82SUjhxJ68sSaunvRZuD6utG8tE4-Gl2g2vc5dVeoAxVXM2oKI9jst9DorMbbjvqXGUmm9C1TXijQW0cI7F-wBBX5MuQ-hxqQyPARjjHQRqGHJ0F_75vg/w523-h327/Rosamap-and-if-iss-graph-JSchamel.jpg" width="523" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">In 2011, island spotted skunks out numbered island foxes in the wild. Stable isotope analysis shows that the skunks and foxes were using different resources. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneihg34MzYI0RXErsPOlNeNs7vAXxllWpufmoBcBgTsETf-splBh-OqKKJVXcSjnv8AUgNH7cTGKBqNmEO1m21ImYvVVm_a7DFP6IUDgPsKMgImgcK9AnEoeEV5RwZlJfamJd5UNRsVW2uC3c9BJvolpSlACqz45xHLbVH7P4-_J87ngTSeyd_g/s2089/niche1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2089" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneihg34MzYI0RXErsPOlNeNs7vAXxllWpufmoBcBgTsETf-splBh-OqKKJVXcSjnv8AUgNH7cTGKBqNmEO1m21ImYvVVm_a7DFP6IUDgPsKMgImgcK9AnEoeEV5RwZlJfamJd5UNRsVW2uC3c9BJvolpSlACqz45xHLbVH7P4-_J87ngTSeyd_g/w489-h344/niche1.jpg" width="489" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">J. Schamel, 2023 poster</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carbon and nitrogen isotopes travel up the food chain leaving a specific isotope signature for plant and animal resources. Literally, you are what you eat and isotopes from a mammal's diet are laid down chronologically in hair or fur. A single island fox whisker can provide 5–6 months of weekly diet data. On the graph above, native terrestrial plant foods, like manzanita berries, are high in Carbon and low in Nitrogen. A deer mouse is the accumulation of its own, mostly plant diet; it has a mid-range Carbon and Nitrogen signature. In the graph above, the blue data points represent island fox diet and the orange data points represent island spotted skunk diet. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In 2011, when island fox numbers in the wild were low, their diet tended
to be higher on the food chain or trophic level: deer mice, birds and
reptiles. The data suggested separate diet niches for island foxes and island
spotted skunks. The skunks were eating primarily, lower level prey, like insects, and some plant foods. <br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2ug_x8nVNxNMDUSaqx7aYx5aq7m78VPgIt6CSrBmq2SYy1XQq96fE2u6wdIkwj_LG0dgaX5pyhFrrYtH2x2Nfsxw6yPU5lOFkiaryoOKcsvW2bdGpO1jUQvq8SAtPrv-GNvE-J-RjJsSW3_XbvPml49NYptYix6O2KDze6N0ZATMbQU1mjs1kA/s1440/niche2-JSchamel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1440" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2ug_x8nVNxNMDUSaqx7aYx5aq7m78VPgIt6CSrBmq2SYy1XQq96fE2u6wdIkwj_LG0dgaX5pyhFrrYtH2x2Nfsxw6yPU5lOFkiaryoOKcsvW2bdGpO1jUQvq8SAtPrv-GNvE-J-RjJsSW3_XbvPml49NYptYix6O2KDze6N0ZATMbQU1mjs1kA/w495-h306/niche2-JSchamel.jpg" width="495" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">J. Schamel, 2023 poster</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In 2014, continuing drought influenced wildlife survival; island fox and island spotted skunks were nearly even in number on Santa Rosa Island. Island foxes expanded their diet, <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/04/island-foxes-and-beach-foods.html" target="_blank">including marine resources</a></b>, and island spotted skunks preyed more on deer mice and higher level prey. The two predators began competing for resources.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq78WmKZdcxd-fkP-9mnMY8Fa3QNKk6xSvuEOiLDxpPriqV3WJCzO0mou-r9hRLSILb-wtVO9Yx_mFwPetao5rFZINk74exjynuuyB_gpegCtxTRC3XW6J8YXYcnF-Zcf-J_7vhuAVBmXHeEYiTTSUHkDnHsRLxGq-Yi-lF-ujFFqpRoAh5MIHA/s1440/niche3-JSchamel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1440" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq78WmKZdcxd-fkP-9mnMY8Fa3QNKk6xSvuEOiLDxpPriqV3WJCzO0mou-r9hRLSILb-wtVO9Yx_mFwPetao5rFZINk74exjynuuyB_gpegCtxTRC3XW6J8YXYcnF-Zcf-J_7vhuAVBmXHeEYiTTSUHkDnHsRLxGq-Yi-lF-ujFFqpRoAh5MIHA/w480-h298/niche3-JSchamel.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">J. Schamel, 2023 poster</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">By 2018, the island fox population had recovered, but island spotted skunks <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/unexpected-creatures-during-island-fox.html" target="_blank">appeared to </a><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/unexpected-creatures-during-island-fox.html" target="_blank">decline in number</a></b>. (<a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/11/fif-2023-research-grant-to-help-count.html" target="_blank"><b>Counting island spotted skunks</b></a>) As island fox density increased across the island, they dramatically broadened their diet–from native fruit through a range of prey species. The spotted skunks maintained a more narrow diet, but they were now in constant competition with island foxes. What will this mean for the two species?</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Schamel's work also revealed that individual island foxes are becoming specialized in their diet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0fazpxf5ObuevNh3tyeyeI5IbzDrLNwKxNSdgLtCJ1E1GupLTmhH3e6KtUICqdKymZAGXKpq13LYFPgR5w-HSr9xA16L7NbG-RunldVhGD_8aplh8cRVKw29NHhyphenhyphenFhqB8spa1V4Q8qGk1lvREoXn_Obli9s1TSpjaft2gL2jw1frI478Y-t8pw/s1440/fox-niche-width-JSchamel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1440" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0fazpxf5ObuevNh3tyeyeI5IbzDrLNwKxNSdgLtCJ1E1GupLTmhH3e6KtUICqdKymZAGXKpq13LYFPgR5w-HSr9xA16L7NbG-RunldVhGD_8aplh8cRVKw29NHhyphenhyphenFhqB8spa1V4Q8qGk1lvREoXn_Obli9s1TSpjaft2gL2jw1frI478Y-t8pw/w469-h356/fox-niche-width-JSchamel.jpg" width="469" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J. Schamel, 2023 poster<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the graphic above, each circle of data points represents an individual island fox and its diet. Some individuals appear to be specializing in fruit and insects, while others are eating predominately terrestrial prey. How is island fox diet continuing to change?<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Save the date of April 30th at 6:30 pm PT </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Juliann Schamel will talk about her work on </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">FIF's "Date with a Fox" webinar</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/mailing-list.html" target="_blank">sign-up for FIF's e-newsletter to receive an invitation</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMvGKjdzQVtZojJA1HJswEh6mYp0KVHtOVPkLXJoJUpBNB-eXX_A29d3IkLlfIoJUA1qee7isug-wfiF1cTrl30YogbbJbhLHqRrBVesWTwCUQVG-RI03PAqLDFO2SQKNpTZ2WuUo5b4Mod3DuVHDpa3ie0tx9KZiW25fVhNJQIndWAgS8moOpA/s607/3_UCSBWhisker_measuring2crppdweb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="607" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMvGKjdzQVtZojJA1HJswEh6mYp0KVHtOVPkLXJoJUpBNB-eXX_A29d3IkLlfIoJUA1qee7isug-wfiF1cTrl30YogbbJbhLHqRrBVesWTwCUQVG-RI03PAqLDFO2SQKNpTZ2WuUo5b4Mod3DuVHDpa3ie0tx9KZiW25fVhNJQIndWAgS8moOpA/s320/3_UCSBWhisker_measuring2crppdweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring out a whisker sample<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Whisker samples continue to be collected for both species. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://friendsoftheislandfox.square.site/" target="_blank"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="295" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e1mTPrdqi3_GwFM7bYOs0thTt_02GQ9eF-mGKuXrNCb5_-fdanCrApXbNPoEoqAgQe4ttTVsnCrgFWII9fHpRJ6Icvcq29m4dLeRQcs9BH5KCj3HoghKSHnc5sJIwE5BcZJivoFe1VuHJdUZwMwNt7ng_22mha4D1SNvnzSnal9y6FYhR_ulDA/s1600/FIF-island_spotted_skunk_pin-nobackground.jpg" width="295" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://friendsoftheislandfox.square.site/" target="_blank">designed by island biologist, Stacy Baker<br /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://friendsoftheislandfox.square.site/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you <b><a href="https://friendsoftheislandfox.square.site/" target="_blank">purchase an island spotted skunk pin</a></b>, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">you send a sample of island spotted skunk whisker </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to the mass spectrometer to reveal stable isotopes. </span></p><br />Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-36360849770293939992024-02-26T13:13:00.000-08:002024-02-26T13:13:01.571-08:00You Did It! You Gave An Island Fox a Second Chance!<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to our donors - near and far!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the past three days, you've responded with overwhelming support and raised the funds to pay for special orthopedic surgery needed for this young injured island fox. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/02/injured-island-fox-pup-gets-second.html" target="_blank">Her story</a></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59_QS-JDWXVGBhTnrmbWZuTZ5Rb-cflzuXKTf_fodVvInZ7iTNpYRaaE64J_KAAEdwLqfC37RBDzHbSIWDTPdPZuPNRsdjQf_2chEsOrEENZNFl77r761Abe69ZCZ9NwUiGlnS1VHTw1GBjnafnTl91AGHZMwqLtfBZNxvaMV5m6Qyezs9FcZ7w/s720/IslandFox_021524_6web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="720" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59_QS-JDWXVGBhTnrmbWZuTZ5Rb-cflzuXKTf_fodVvInZ7iTNpYRaaE64J_KAAEdwLqfC37RBDzHbSIWDTPdPZuPNRsdjQf_2chEsOrEENZNFl77r761Abe69ZCZ9NwUiGlnS1VHTw1GBjnafnTl91AGHZMwqLtfBZNxvaMV5m6Qyezs9FcZ7w/w371-h284/IslandFox_021524_6web.jpg" width="371" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thank you to: <br /></b></span></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">FIF's long-time donors</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Our Instagram followers</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Our "X" followers especially our "Hijinkai" who love island foxes from afar in Japan</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You all have helped to give this island fox a second chance on life.</b></span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-72406734189047943292024-02-23T15:31:00.000-08:002024-02-26T12:55:25.993-08:00Injured Island Fox Pup Gets Second Chance<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">You can help this young island fox</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCqpjUp3uBK5n4q4F6iVXj8metHMW2THFuk4B0XSWyB-1JYztH1jHk-dhGAjK6CrpFYCDP_vYmfHH4Gnku2CCTQZciSY0XSxQnRtZWZ9oVBoJbsU3fWjmo961gV7lTac5m4ovfC1vClTXqHwJgtrSfR31Ws_swC-S6Je0JrOkugs6zvI3XIgbcQ/s720/injuredfox2023cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="720" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCqpjUp3uBK5n4q4F6iVXj8metHMW2THFuk4B0XSWyB-1JYztH1jHk-dhGAjK6CrpFYCDP_vYmfHH4Gnku2CCTQZciSY0XSxQnRtZWZ9oVBoJbsU3fWjmo961gV7lTac5m4ovfC1vClTXqHwJgtrSfR31Ws_swC-S6Je0JrOkugs6zvI3XIgbcQ/w373-h298/injuredfox2023cropped.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox is raising funds to pay for her orthopedic surgery</span></b><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">During the annual fall 2023 <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/how-do-biologists-capture-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">counting and island fox health checks</a></b> on <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/habitat.html" target="_blank"><b>San Nicolas Island</b></a>, biologists discovered this female pup with a recently injured right hind leg. The bones just above her foot, the metatarsal bones, had been fractured and the wound was open.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The injury was too severe for treatment on the remote Navy island. According to our friends with the U.S. Navy and the Santa Barbara Zoo: "The cause of the injury could not be determined but her chance for survival without intervention was minimal due [to] the risk of infection and septicemia posed by the open fracture. Releasing her without treatment with such an injury was determined to be both inhumane and life threatening."</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HbepFgvCw18ZkwdjFojsjrL2-R6E_OJeApKg-1j7Ia1GUgCeX_qOCfHFwi7X5sMZf1XcoUjwVMvXE_rBhyphenhyphenRHSPGldPOocIAKqBLvJX8bSGABkfmYuhFko7rOIG-Fi1QAbHwegAKwN1CeqwLjL-Ce_1BZuP2eZv4OPzVXHpw8rOPIYDTXquDsQw/s1280/channelislandfoxMELawshe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HbepFgvCw18ZkwdjFojsjrL2-R6E_OJeApKg-1j7Ia1GUgCeX_qOCfHFwi7X5sMZf1XcoUjwVMvXE_rBhyphenhyphenRHSPGldPOocIAKqBLvJX8bSGABkfmYuhFko7rOIG-Fi1QAbHwegAKwN1CeqwLjL-Ce_1BZuP2eZv4OPzVXHpw8rOPIYDTXquDsQw/s320/channelislandfoxMELawshe.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">island fox in the wild on Santa Cruz Island<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Removing an island fox from the island where it lives is a big
decision. Having <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/about-island-fox.html" target="_blank"><b>evolved in isolation</b></a> on their
specific islands, once an island fox leaves an island it can not return.
The biosecurity risk of <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/07/radio-collars-and-vaccines-arrive-for.html" target="_blank">introducing disease</a> </b>from the mainland to the wild
population is too great.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The young fox was just old enough to be dispersing from her parents. With treatment and several months of observed convalescence, she had a good chance for full recovery. The cost of treatment, however, was being removed from the wild for the rest of her life.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmSV9K-hXnfw24cA2i_riKilfGlGUrtDF8EZBoRX4UnkiL0sL0twdov9q70cFjuKwVZaoPVwoqGF-Oi4iZcIRSc2FdsNDtRyOZuKVTGXQyF1xVUKHtmQI4WXBFb66_KbBthyMUwrHA2g6Fkjnt9CAtw8vvCSSYGJ3ZVMzeYXH0XLE_hB0gS7EDQ/s1200/IslandFox_021524_2web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmSV9K-hXnfw24cA2i_riKilfGlGUrtDF8EZBoRX4UnkiL0sL0twdov9q70cFjuKwVZaoPVwoqGF-Oi4iZcIRSc2FdsNDtRyOZuKVTGXQyF1xVUKHtmQI4WXBFb66_KbBthyMUwrHA2g6Fkjnt9CAtw8vvCSSYGJ3ZVMzeYXH0XLE_hB0gS7EDQ/w357-h237/IslandFox_021524_2web.jpg" width="357" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) gave special authorization to transport the state-protected species off of the island and off of the Navy's federal lands into state jurisdiction. She was flown off of San Nicolas Island and transferred to the <b><a href="https://www.sbzoo.org/" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Zoo</a></b>, which has "extensive experience in caring for orphaned and injured island foxes." A pair of brother San Clemente Island foxes who were abandoned by their parents during a drought year, currently live at the Santa Barbara Zoo. (<a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/09/zoos-helping-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>Lewis and Clark</b></a>)</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In consultation with Dr. Steve Klause, a veterinary orthopedic surgeon, the Santa Barbara Zoo veterinary team initiated a conservative treatment plan. While the little fox responded well, the fracture did not initially heal as hoped. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfIgInO04Kh2zA31LPJyQI4kFEXqRtz-dgqlUAXnzolVr3qaN2D5GJd6nE6Vbj3VKwT4NQSKjb3sL5aKevw8KwsMLSzVQd61w6O_hfxeCG3NAGxKENrQa7YeOcCXX2nsqIYI_9Lj2Y6t9OcCkyAXGhmGXwCv5eT54DOaIzO7xiiveVoeKoVBGOg/s800/IslandFox_021524_3web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="800" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfIgInO04Kh2zA31LPJyQI4kFEXqRtz-dgqlUAXnzolVr3qaN2D5GJd6nE6Vbj3VKwT4NQSKjb3sL5aKevw8KwsMLSzVQd61w6O_hfxeCG3NAGxKENrQa7YeOcCXX2nsqIYI_9Lj2Y6t9OcCkyAXGhmGXwCv5eT54DOaIzO7xiiveVoeKoVBGOg/s320/IslandFox_021524_3web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Zoo team reached out to Friends of the Island Fox. The little female island fox needed special orthopedic surgical repair for internal fixation of the fracture. Could we help with some of the unexpected costs? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">FIF determined to raise the $1,900 needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fr3D1Q8VDggExHnJFXcgF9Ud8FureER5iTEm5zafyQUXnNeC39pry11F4VEqAl9QXA6IbcWzfrtixTKLgThjKvtKZqcTRn3VBDemQjAoK8K_aSiog6j-CiSJEhfpv14MRqMdklJf_Zr-acLgT9CP5eDXRW_kgqajMrtOU__14uxyT4ROUO6Ugw/s800/IslandFox_021524_8JBarnesweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fr3D1Q8VDggExHnJFXcgF9Ud8FureER5iTEm5zafyQUXnNeC39pry11F4VEqAl9QXA6IbcWzfrtixTKLgThjKvtKZqcTRn3VBDemQjAoK8K_aSiog6j-CiSJEhfpv14MRqMdklJf_Zr-acLgT9CP5eDXRW_kgqajMrtOU__14uxyT4ROUO6Ugw/s320/IslandFox_021524_8JBarnesweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On December 16, 2023, the little fox had her surgery and Dr. Julie Barnes Vice-President of Animal Care and Health tells us, she is doing well. The island fox still has several months of recuperation before she is fully healed. The Santa Barbara Zoo says "Once fully recovered, the fox will be transferred to a permanent home ... at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility where she will serve as an ambassador for the species - the first known San Nicolas Island fox to do so!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Protecting island foxes is a community effort and saving this individual island fox is no different. People from the U.S. Navy, Santa Barbara Zoo, specialist veterinarians, and FIF are all investing in the future of this island fox.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You can HELP Too! </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Join our list of donors supporting this island fox</b> </span><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Recycling for Island Foxes and the Planet</i>: $200</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">school children in Thousand Oaks, CA: $300+</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">FIF Instagram followers: $125</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">FIF "X" followers, including in Japan: $360</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">FIF returning donors: $1,190<br /></span></li></ul>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-17470237484172650722024-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:002024-01-26T13:15:17.766-08:00Unexpected Creatures During Island Fox Counting - Part 4<p><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome guest blogger Jessica Sanchez, wildlife veterinarian and FIF Board Member. She's explained <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/how-do-biologists-capture-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>how island foxes are captured annually in Part 1</b></a>, shown how a<b> <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/an-island-fox-gets-health-check-part-2.html" target="_blank">fox's body condition is evaluated in Part 2</a></b>, and demonstrated health procedures preformed on island foxes <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/island-fox-gets-health-check-part-3.html" target="_blank">during an annual health check in Part 3</a></b>. As she explains, she might be out capturing island foxes, but they aren't the only animals she encounters.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We also catch island spotted skunks, although this has become rarer in recent years.</span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGFznwyq3Z7xvmA47njSRu-KGN6OjjlzqK8txJqMz0bPVXod9fv_-QRC_DKgsyCAK0N0ClA0PofBNxlI5gGFKbpXrFrHiSGiMa7DZzsRSR9m5ihoiCL3YwOSzbYL1ETZrKQ6mSyGeqc86YGEZAAbpEyqZyS_aiJnT4WCVgrtAM_AkLeFguYhKNQ/s1430/ISS-jsanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1430" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGFznwyq3Z7xvmA47njSRu-KGN6OjjlzqK8txJqMz0bPVXod9fv_-QRC_DKgsyCAK0N0ClA0PofBNxlI5gGFKbpXrFrHiSGiMa7DZzsRSR9m5ihoiCL3YwOSzbYL1ETZrKQ6mSyGeqc86YGEZAAbpEyqZyS_aiJnT4WCVgrtAM_AkLeFguYhKNQ/w414-h317/ISS-jsanchez.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know you have caught a skunk even before you get to the trap because...</span></i></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">of the smell</span></i></li><li><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">they ball up all the grass and vegetation in the trap to make a cozy little nest for themselves <br /></span></i></li></ol><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>If you're lucky, they will still be asleep in this nest when you approach the trap the next morning. All of this gives you time to pause and carefully plan your approach to getting them out of the <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/how-do-biologists-capture-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">humane box trap</a></b>.</i></span> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3hNTxjGpuLtW7aNafarNdPs56pQerulK2xU7rE1WbFoSWEOqxmWvgAZrgOIf7MjpF7tD2zrI2iixx_AT3HdGGoLqDzKBuC5Q6vQaF0booSyHSk4gq6CXoW2zoGtIA6JzHtchRXr7UX6biABnxD_3tf90GQzBtkevfrZFzgEeP6WRhlPJ2NnwZA/s1668/ISSincage-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1668" data-original-width="1216" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3hNTxjGpuLtW7aNafarNdPs56pQerulK2xU7rE1WbFoSWEOqxmWvgAZrgOIf7MjpF7tD2zrI2iixx_AT3HdGGoLqDzKBuC5Q6vQaF0booSyHSk4gq6CXoW2zoGtIA6JzHtchRXr7UX6biABnxD_3tf90GQzBtkevfrZFzgEeP6WRhlPJ2NnwZA/w381-h523/ISSincage-JSanchez.jpg" width="381" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Skunks also get a microchip for identification and we take a tiny 2–3mm biopsy of the ear, with a special cartilage snip device, for genetic testing. Then they receive a thorough exam.</span></i> (<b>similar to island foxes</b>) <i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We try to handle the little skunks carefully so they don't spray us–this is for our benefit and theirs as it can take up to a couple of weeks for skunks to regenerate their spray and they need it to defend themselves.</span></i> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sVIQq4ClnZ8L9WvFSseHOpzscMFtKs5lbnBNxrtqMhYRZS0dVXosHAwwm-6ABN6sNms7vfVIiC82v_1VHWYML2kW_VzXyuxqumrlnVW0idfOpmvAVEQ-SYwdVwiw2M6Vkdz7qQAtD_xFw80krUw7vuKln7LVJYGVYk_2fnbGVwcOy5P6TBYc_Q/s1430/ISS2-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1430" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sVIQq4ClnZ8L9WvFSseHOpzscMFtKs5lbnBNxrtqMhYRZS0dVXosHAwwm-6ABN6sNms7vfVIiC82v_1VHWYML2kW_VzXyuxqumrlnVW0idfOpmvAVEQ-SYwdVwiw2M6Vkdz7qQAtD_xFw80krUw7vuKln7LVJYGVYk_2fnbGVwcOy5P6TBYc_Q/w463-h252/ISS2-JSanchez.jpg" width="463" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Currently, island spotted skunks are not vaccinated, though researchers are investigating options to potentially do so in the future.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island spotted skunks aren't the only surprise that might be found in a box trap set out for island foxes. See what else Sanchez has found:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dg9fY0Dq7f4" width="320" youtube-src-id="dg9fY0Dq7f4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">An island scrub-jay!</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-5jlVOik52o" width="320" youtube-src-id="-5jlVOik52o"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The final steps of a long day catching island foxes are to wash off any skunk spray and/or fleas, check yourself for ticks, enjoy a beautiful sunset, and get a good night's sleep before doing it again the next day! - Jessica Sanchez</span><br /></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwd9trJqTIzqoJXe6rC8AA_mQcgoTy7dAgjlm4FJQ987n1REjU-YD_eGN7_DW7qQmkTW8150ux-xo-X1__PxdtzABqQ051vI1Bi2HuawDfqeB4uwiSXAmA9GlQzxoZNqLtCTo-ncuXRa1ysDQDTouUaZVm7uqC-AHWhM4Htf9tuSnH0qAvt5a-w/s1043/endofday-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1043" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwd9trJqTIzqoJXe6rC8AA_mQcgoTy7dAgjlm4FJQ987n1REjU-YD_eGN7_DW7qQmkTW8150ux-xo-X1__PxdtzABqQ051vI1Bi2HuawDfqeB4uwiSXAmA9GlQzxoZNqLtCTo-ncuXRa1ysDQDTouUaZVm7uqC-AHWhM4Htf9tuSnH0qAvt5a-w/w460-h250/endofday-JSanchez.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3FwIrXmq1Kzn-10qpRQHmTj_zygq7WbRwK-lCDY9GlrgIeqSparF1ONTh_bn0e_MD_pz_mSB4bXM2zm_7Q9pp9xlPN_e_l35aKlgQ26CVo7RXJoX-iQA-85waGDkZpEngA5ol1g7bT3cI0js7CIwk4fK5cRr0FLj4z2O5Puaes9jcnVJRDfntg/s1430/ISS-fox-endofday-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1430" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3FwIrXmq1Kzn-10qpRQHmTj_zygq7WbRwK-lCDY9GlrgIeqSparF1ONTh_bn0e_MD_pz_mSB4bXM2zm_7Q9pp9xlPN_e_l35aKlgQ26CVo7RXJoX-iQA-85waGDkZpEngA5ol1g7bT3cI0js7CIwk4fK5cRr0FLj4z2O5Puaes9jcnVJRDfntg/w475-h270/ISS-fox-endofday-JSanchez.jpg" width="475" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/how-do-biologists-capture-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - capturing island foxes</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/an-island-fox-gets-health-check-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Health Check: body condition</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/island-fox-gets-health-check-part-3.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Health Check: veterinary procedures</a></b> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><br />Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-83116122238293969732024-01-22T13:00:00.000-08:002024-01-25T17:48:36.121-08:00Island Fox Gets a Health Check - Part 3<p><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome guest blogger Jessica Sanchez, wildlife veterinarian and FIF Board Member. She's explained <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/how-do-biologists-capture-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>how island foxes are captured annually in Part 1</b></a> and <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/an-island-fox-gets-health-check-part-2.html" target="_blank"><b>shown how a fox's body condition is evaluated in Part 2</b></a>. But an island fox health check includes additional health measures.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We check the foxes for ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas, mites, and lice. We comb their fur to find fleas, and pay special attention to their ears, armpits, and belly area–where lice and ticks are often found. </span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz_t8MSFJfvUFWpq9QjxO6aZt_fYqS4RceeltSS28Sdtfu_SQVX36JJz5z6E2T4DpLCZI-P1fmEmHSgkbqAf9NVRqsGOB0QNVrCBmhlDBKcJX7gTIwdHzaoZ8iSNQ6KUDKTn0sm1MNkJ7xVMNMlNKGLmfSyxtEBnyiJoDulINGe3VT-f51HcRSg/s1430/ticks-on-islandfox-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1430" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz_t8MSFJfvUFWpq9QjxO6aZt_fYqS4RceeltSS28Sdtfu_SQVX36JJz5z6E2T4DpLCZI-P1fmEmHSgkbqAf9NVRqsGOB0QNVrCBmhlDBKcJX7gTIwdHzaoZ8iSNQ6KUDKTn0sm1MNkJ7xVMNMlNKGLmfSyxtEBnyiJoDulINGe3VT-f51HcRSg/w548-h304/ticks-on-islandfox-JSanchez.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Ticks are collected so we can identify the species and <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2020/07/good-news-for-island-foxes-from-tick.html" target="_blank"><b>test them for viruses or bacteria they might be carrying</b></a>. Since ticks can feed on multiple hosts in their lifetime, testing the ticks tells us about what diseases the <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/11/fif-2023-research-grant-to-help-count.html" target="_blank">island spotted skunks</a></b>, deermice, and other island species might be exposed to as well.</span></i> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYsGbpr4qbCMYaO7glA01ZSt3pW3FcG92uzC_ARICOlYbqP7AKXXZqA_jnlBbPEjUUv01mXtAkl089uA6UweTWb6DuQP4ZdhWF0OFlQW6QWxJv8BwhdETSYmpSNKGqgbRCK4aiNcWhj4OJp0Ds-J0zq0jW_JADt3s9Nm7bXqE7HLKooJd9Py3vw/s2048/looking%20through%20the%20otoscopesmall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYsGbpr4qbCMYaO7glA01ZSt3pW3FcG92uzC_ARICOlYbqP7AKXXZqA_jnlBbPEjUUv01mXtAkl089uA6UweTWb6DuQP4ZdhWF0OFlQW6QWxJv8BwhdETSYmpSNKGqgbRCK4aiNcWhj4OJp0Ds-J0zq0jW_JADt3s9Nm7bXqE7HLKooJd9Py3vw/w389-h259/looking%20through%20the%20otoscopesmall.jpg" width="389" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">We take a look in the fox's ears using an otoscope, just like the doctor uses to examine your ear canal. On Santa Catalina Island, where ear mites introduced by feral cats have been associated with <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2020/04/mites-microbes-and-cancer-in-santa.html" target="_blank">ear tumors</a></b>, foxes are treated with a topical medication to kill ear mites and reduce inflammation in the ear canal.</span></i></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">We collect blood from the jugular vein. This is used to test for exposure to disease, genetic analyses, and to look at other health parameters like liver and kidney function.</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nZXp1R6kp7mt2kvexuTmvUEvjN5993TucqdNTNI7lfqjWyvQdo6o67Pb2G-9BWiFLxUVdT1M8o20D1DeY6n2kBJ0c0m6uruWZCJR2cSaanjyMX-qRj4D7YW8D8J35eBxhhoePc8BzM98snRmYjHc-Mx7-3FcNekvZhBD2mbXrNjwRZOp0ufZxQ/s1430/bloodsample-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1430" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nZXp1R6kp7mt2kvexuTmvUEvjN5993TucqdNTNI7lfqjWyvQdo6o67Pb2G-9BWiFLxUVdT1M8o20D1DeY6n2kBJ0c0m6uruWZCJR2cSaanjyMX-qRj4D7YW8D8J35eBxhhoePc8BzM98snRmYjHc-Mx7-3FcNekvZhBD2mbXrNjwRZOp0ufZxQ/w466-h291/bloodsample-JSanchez.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">One of the most important steps is to administer vaccinations. A subset of the population is vaccinated every year for rabies and canine distemper virus. Neither disease is currently found on the Channel Islands, but we vaccinate as a preventative measure after the <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/05/distemper-outbreak-in-long-beach-raises.html" target="_blank">Santa Catalina Island foxes almost went extinct</a></b> due to the introduction of canine distemper in 1999–2000. Vaccinations ensure that if there is ever an outbreak of either disease, at least the vaccinated foxes will survive to repopulate the island.</span></i> (<a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/07/radio-collars-and-vaccines-arrive-for.html" target="_blank">FIF's efforts to provide vaccine for island foxes in 2023</a>)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjKw6C4FnFzJvEhTTCaV9WdnaaN-6cgCAzFEPWflTYimjrymc_QxWLm3TNnEbeMdChUj76j5jcWNAs7p3q3K8z1vKuDK5ysJMMcuFtJmI3MGhRA5XZZMuYDsK8Klsi209NtyZdplSu7m4Gerr0HfvhwlhtqfL8BaLpZO2X8VdtfhvzqT3r_8Vag/s1430/vaccination-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1430" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjKw6C4FnFzJvEhTTCaV9WdnaaN-6cgCAzFEPWflTYimjrymc_QxWLm3TNnEbeMdChUj76j5jcWNAs7p3q3K8z1vKuDK5ysJMMcuFtJmI3MGhRA5XZZMuYDsK8Klsi209NtyZdplSu7m4Gerr0HfvhwlhtqfL8BaLpZO2X8VdtfhvzqT3r_8Vag/w556-h283/vaccination-JSanchez.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">A subset of foxes also gets radio collared.</span></i> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlDPlipg5yDzEEGGvxc5CWlq0qlU7n1V75nbbbw-0Tasl_KRAfUdARNHfFGEPoyyjp_OyJp-Z0BOc7IoIkPF8FCixovMBiIu4TPw1Uib14X-opZyJYy4UavzEUzIO2LnV8oMWYPTu3WkOxf_8jJz3HBhNReVq9MuK4MY4VGaP9K2FRbvn6gIe0w/s1080/collarinhandNPS2021web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1080" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlDPlipg5yDzEEGGvxc5CWlq0qlU7n1V75nbbbw-0Tasl_KRAfUdARNHfFGEPoyyjp_OyJp-Z0BOc7IoIkPF8FCixovMBiIu4TPw1Uib14X-opZyJYy4UavzEUzIO2LnV8oMWYPTu3WkOxf_8jJz3HBhNReVq9MuK4MY4VGaP9K2FRbvn6gIe0w/w404-h285/collarinhandNPS2021web.jpg" width="404" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">These collars are small, less than 5% of their body weight, and do not interfere with the foxes going about their daily life. Collars serve multiple purposes, allowing us to track the <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/11/fif-research-grant-to-investigate.html" target="_blank">size and location of home ranges</a></b>, monitor survival, and find dead animals quickly so their carcasses can be sent for necropsy ASAP to identify the cause of death. </span></i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNmGBBE3aEDEFHcG4Sc1XjOHnqTQAzFqRzVyssDmt3urmJF-Ja5xLj0IeVIz2e1Va6tss3DguyLaWn3WjADiMnhkqycGfiLme-1ZUd1la25u9Timwz_jm1A6ilAL5BXmLnxC-JlB16RP5md-KUGhYgw9B2B3HiF8OC0E0FvO9m7ksRVyl-k0QNA/s1430/collaredfox-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1430" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNmGBBE3aEDEFHcG4Sc1XjOHnqTQAzFqRzVyssDmt3urmJF-Ja5xLj0IeVIz2e1Va6tss3DguyLaWn3WjADiMnhkqycGfiLme-1ZUd1la25u9Timwz_jm1A6ilAL5BXmLnxC-JlB16RP5md-KUGhYgw9B2B3HiF8OC0E0FvO9m7ksRVyl-k0QNA/w478-h278/collaredfox-JSanchez.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the radio collared foxes are unvaccinated "sentinels," meaning if a disease outbreak occurs, they are not protected and may get sick, but their deaths will be detected via the change in their collar signal so we can recover the bodies for necropsy. Without collared animals, we would not know foxes were dying and would not be able to find the carcasses to get more information about the cause. Monitoring mortalities also gives us information on trends in other causes of death, such as internal parasites or being hit by cars, so we can address those threats as well.</span></i></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Foxes are released after their workups and immediately run off! - Jessica Sanchez</span></i></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="398" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4cIcnwYn3nc" width="478" youtube-src-id="4cIcnwYn3nc"></iframe></span></i></div><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></p><p></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzyXOpsi61NKi3Vu8QIrNkGCJbtqbOi_3C3Hb2kQYaZtH1eH8x9LpHNkiaIPdlgx1I1Y4L2FY12scOSjSzTDqnS2A0ZhGkLKvwEozQDePTWxg7mtvl3KKzTnS-1ursEW3nwpfd7Uu0OWQL9O123cuZfLvCLmx6yR8SWafLdAhChR_a_jV-p7VQw/s1430/release-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1430" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzyXOpsi61NKi3Vu8QIrNkGCJbtqbOi_3C3Hb2kQYaZtH1eH8x9LpHNkiaIPdlgx1I1Y4L2FY12scOSjSzTDqnS2A0ZhGkLKvwEozQDePTWxg7mtvl3KKzTnS-1ursEW3nwpfd7Uu0OWQL9O123cuZfLvCLmx6yR8SWafLdAhChR_a_jV-p7VQw/w462-h345/release-JSanchez.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/unexpected-creatures-during-island-fox.html" target="_blank">In Part 4, Jessica details what happens when an island spotted skunk is unexpectedly caught during island fox health checks.<br /></a></b></span></p><br /><br />Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-3696935762952608232024-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:002024-01-25T17:51:01.736-08:00An Island Fox Gets a Health Check - Part 2<p><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome guest blogger Jessica Sanchez, wildlife veterinarian and FIF Board Member. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/how-do-biologists-capture-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">In Part 1, she explained how island foxes are captured annually</a></b>. Now, she'll take us through an island fox health check.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONDZPZ3RKahEiUnb1GEYNxeOytBarESU7-JH0iuTV6Y385qkejJ4P52sbNq2knHaWbYldzIU6aUxYhm74sw-77EYt-8xxX3V78kIlKndWJIrKAGJVTY2DSHS-6rpvi2B7wj8fjqDXDMH4VZGR05byltgmwiPMTohmmP8VhFGnG46Mj77MJ-Nz7w/s1430/masked-islandfox-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1430" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONDZPZ3RKahEiUnb1GEYNxeOytBarESU7-JH0iuTV6Y385qkejJ4P52sbNq2knHaWbYldzIU6aUxYhm74sw-77EYt-8xxX3V78kIlKndWJIrKAGJVTY2DSHS-6rpvi2B7wj8fjqDXDMH4VZGR05byltgmwiPMTohmmP8VhFGnG46Mj77MJ-Nz7w/w440-h280/masked-islandfox-JSanchez.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">As biologists and veterinarians, we carefully remove the fox from the box trap, being sure not to get their tail caught in the door!</span></i></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Island foxes are blindfolded to help keep them calm and reduce stress. Foxes do not have any natural predators on the Channel Islands so they are very brave, but they can still be stressed from handling by humans. Exams are quick and we do our best to be quiet and efficient. Island foxes are not sedated, so they can be released immediately and return to life as normal ASAP.</span></i></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">The health exam begins with an examination of teeth.</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhnLL_HEeGt4Vpv-X7ByNR4wev7oEyzC7XG3SByNIIduBhafFzJzPBIZ7kb_WK9Cq75ujy1XmaB2FnflLx_o3dyWR376ZOMrRiDuiokJqIL_yKWCDJkUFjfGW9xsG38J5q3GhZA1cvWcI8t0n1iz29Tgspw89vOreVJte6Cg-rnD2CFXiUUZkmg/s1430/toothexam-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1430" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhnLL_HEeGt4Vpv-X7ByNR4wev7oEyzC7XG3SByNIIduBhafFzJzPBIZ7kb_WK9Cq75ujy1XmaB2FnflLx_o3dyWR376ZOMrRiDuiokJqIL_yKWCDJkUFjfGW9xsG38J5q3GhZA1cvWcI8t0n1iz29Tgspw89vOreVJte6Cg-rnD2CFXiUUZkmg/w416-h325/toothexam-JSanchez.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We open their mouths very gently so we can see the upper premolars. The wear on these teeth allows us to classify each animal into an "age class." Age classes range from 0 (pups born that year) to 4 (very old foxes with worn teeth). The pups also have serration on their incisors that have not yet worn smooth. Although age classes are not an exact age–and can vary by island, diet, and habitat (rougher food and sand wear teeth faster)–they give us a semi-standardized guide for assessing how old the population is overall.</span></i> (<b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/10/estimating-island-fox-age-using.html" target="_blank">more on using teeth to age island foxes</a></b>)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We can also identify the pups of the year (less than a year old) by their appearance. They start out darkly colored and slowly transition to their adult gray/rufous/white. By the time we catch them during the summer/fall season, they look like mini-adults but with a rounder, fluffier shape.</span></i></span> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEB2PaMuyVTMRM3iOglercpPYoQswGmmJYXp2vijI2JTFlS8ThwerIfKM6R-6Qq_lrZj8lUCkbOGla4iHjuLE-KlIZQqWDNpC5CH0jnNCzUstFCA00UK-LAINLVr1WrrjeCZHZh8VwaIcoFq_Q1hr-7f6iyaKHXooNh0tc8Yer8YKAH9BumxM9Q/s1430/islandfox-agesJSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1430" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEB2PaMuyVTMRM3iOglercpPYoQswGmmJYXp2vijI2JTFlS8ThwerIfKM6R-6Qq_lrZj8lUCkbOGla4iHjuLE-KlIZQqWDNpC5CH0jnNCzUstFCA00UK-LAINLVr1WrrjeCZHZh8VwaIcoFq_Q1hr-7f6iyaKHXooNh0tc8Yer8YKAH9BumxM9Q/w550-h294/islandfox-agesJSanchez.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Reproduction can be assessed in the females by examining their abdomens. A female who has not had pups that year will have white fur on her belly, with no mammary/nipple development (left, below). A female nursing pups will have the hair licked away from her nipples, the surrounding hair will be stained red from the saliva of the puppies, and her mammary tissue will be large and well developed from producing milk (right, below).</span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JTTQhYFhZRlhA80G2ygu28kn8HZPZ0Ib-hNevb9vhUA_e56jlXyeOy22Qqh85scQhBkgUwyEWbVwXtblQBuzDKzCr1VpByQum8kymcOp88cNShiuASWs04cddR9KhU5Z0I3bbT2sYtpMuCfGxnYVHtct50r7fVnKSeimx_Az9b_pXYTE8i9z5A/s1430/bellies-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1430" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JTTQhYFhZRlhA80G2ygu28kn8HZPZ0Ib-hNevb9vhUA_e56jlXyeOy22Qqh85scQhBkgUwyEWbVwXtblQBuzDKzCr1VpByQum8kymcOp88cNShiuASWs04cddR9KhU5Z0I3bbT2sYtpMuCfGxnYVHtct50r7fVnKSeimx_Az9b_pXYTE8i9z5A/w459-h308/bellies-JSanchez.jpg" width="459" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We do a thorough exam, assessing body condition and checking for any injuries. We check each foot to make sure they have no injuries to their claws, which are semi-retractable. Island foxes and grey foxes are unique among canids in that they can rotate their wrists, <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/02/unique-as-island-fox.html" target="_blank">allowing them to grip and climb trees</a>.</span></i> (<b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/03/the-island-foxs-origin-gray-fox.html" target="_blank">more on the island fox's ancestor, the grey fox</a></b>) <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbfqe0ReZHfdq4BLM8yFtRnm4cF-ei_jaRawoUZxuIj5XFILh6GQmoxRPVmFcOGZnglIwcJCzIclY790SoYCo-i5dG3BNMqkjlysuAlJON1OoDN0QAPPmicLRwHFHG7N0M0bWfY_jBvVD-9EyBLwjFkmFbgcT4UxTnlkDlgXfeqHB1BpkWiTYJQ/s1430/foot-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1430" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbfqe0ReZHfdq4BLM8yFtRnm4cF-ei_jaRawoUZxuIj5XFILh6GQmoxRPVmFcOGZnglIwcJCzIclY790SoYCo-i5dG3BNMqkjlysuAlJON1OoDN0QAPPmicLRwHFHG7N0M0bWfY_jBvVD-9EyBLwjFkmFbgcT4UxTnlkDlgXfeqHB1BpkWiTYJQ/w479-h354/foot-JSanchez.jpg" width="479" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Foxes often have grass awns or other debris stuck in their eyes, so we clean these out and remove any gunk that has accumulated. - Jessica Sanchez</span></i></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxeKvdkki_DLmeAzTLcYQFed0Ag41mJ24Xa1YmscYtVl42SzwGIueZGep3ng_o2rlK9hRP6prSIAw6d0jTYXtPTMZg8HI3knesub1xRDS053PdRxbrU3l9DC5GtnIanlD2Bl1bMcT26uidfziM7kI-PhKPGUbBMu9orhWboa3ACZsHH7aEXIVFQ/s1607/cleaningFoxEye-JSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="1200" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxeKvdkki_DLmeAzTLcYQFed0Ag41mJ24Xa1YmscYtVl42SzwGIueZGep3ng_o2rlK9hRP6prSIAw6d0jTYXtPTMZg8HI3knesub1xRDS053PdRxbrU3l9DC5GtnIanlD2Bl1bMcT26uidfziM7kI-PhKPGUbBMu9orhWboa3ACZsHH7aEXIVFQ/w352-h472/cleaningFoxEye-JSanchez.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/island-fox-gets-health-check-part-3.html" target="_blank"><b>In Health Check Part 3</b></a> - Jessica will detail the specific health measures taken for island foxes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Part 4 - </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/unexpected-creatures-during-island-fox.html" target="_blank">Other species encountered during health checks </a></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-61988557459756430982024-01-16T16:32:00.000-08:002024-01-25T17:50:30.040-08:00How Do Biologists Capture Island Foxes?<p><span style="font-size: large;">Meet guest blogger, FIF Board Member, Jessica Sanchez. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9NCGIXbp5rSJNKthpSSS8IgvqRnWwObDwq-UGu0Mkg67Cre_-WV9hbyKphG33n7Z7Si5jxStPZypld1tD4NiFJ1lMo8ALUVgk12Flx23700CQA1avVjyA1oXlg59wIUzvJcHH0pa-gjjCxY-9pQeHs4jx9TPo386JS7_3yas7mDby19Ikykqiw/s600/JSanchez-croppedweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9NCGIXbp5rSJNKthpSSS8IgvqRnWwObDwq-UGu0Mkg67Cre_-WV9hbyKphG33n7Z7Si5jxStPZypld1tD4NiFJ1lMo8ALUVgk12Flx23700CQA1avVjyA1oXlg59wIUzvJcHH0pa-gjjCxY-9pQeHs4jx9TPo386JS7_3yas7mDby19Ikykqiw/s320/JSanchez-croppedweb.jpg" width="226" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sanchez is a wildlife veterinarian and epidemiologist who's been working with Channel Island foxes since 2006. She started her career managing the captive breeding and wild fox monitoring program on Santa Cruz Island. For her master's degree, she researched social interactions among island foxes, and modeled vaccination and monitoring methods to prevent and detect disease outbreaks. She is currently a consulting veterinarian for island foxes across the Channel Islands, providing medical care and advising on biosecurity and fox health research. </span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQCnKgHJhRXEEDNJxjF1lvlp8W8Ls0fyML93XyA1LLGwVX4TQVxqun8gH9qubcWkiW6oXKhorvZAQ3MQA2LUNAXVNktogSWUcdWTr9DThLiHZuqiAbYiZTtzCKk3Yuf9az46BI89150eTgVvJyF2qkFaTWvcj4HQF6pw3oPBfog3wRSUL8Oze0w/s720/Fox-in-Trapsm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQCnKgHJhRXEEDNJxjF1lvlp8W8Ls0fyML93XyA1LLGwVX4TQVxqun8gH9qubcWkiW6oXKhorvZAQ3MQA2LUNAXVNktogSWUcdWTr9DThLiHZuqiAbYiZTtzCKk3Yuf9az46BI89150eTgVvJyF2qkFaTWvcj4HQF6pw3oPBfog3wRSUL8Oze0w/s320/Fox-in-Trapsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><i>Every year, island managers and biologists conduct island-wide capture of wild island foxes to monitor the population size, reproduction, and health of individuals. This is done using the same locations every year, so direct comparisons can be made and trends identified. </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2014/04/the-science-of-counting-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">counting island foxes</a>)</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><i>The first step is finding a safe location to place a box trap–somewhere with flat ground, so it won't roll. It has to be out of the direct sun and wind, away from water with no risk of flooding, and where we can use vegetation to cover and disguise the capture device.</i></span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtw1kyJA4ZSs4Fzn_hM0JE1LdKHHM6FOR25LQDsE4e1MFmohLfjPXIw0gNdNR3JQOSfnK2WwOntTJpuOpy-ghEc8Z-NwqxqvWoXOJcLgyN2Ah7dOlqY1yeXM3PMx11LHajRT4gRD-eW5i93OF2Ii8Z1z4zGU_YZ5KxNz5ChVqjZAG6Z3uUZ4YGew/s1430/Picture1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1430" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtw1kyJA4ZSs4Fzn_hM0JE1LdKHHM6FOR25LQDsE4e1MFmohLfjPXIw0gNdNR3JQOSfnK2WwOntTJpuOpy-ghEc8Z-NwqxqvWoXOJcLgyN2Ah7dOlqY1yeXM3PMx11LHajRT4gRD-eW5i93OF2Ii8Z1z4zGU_YZ5KxNz5ChVqjZAG6Z3uUZ4YGew/w514-h290/Picture1.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;">We capture foxes using wire, humane, live box traps; the very same ones used to capture feral cats. There is a "treadle plate" at the back that is attached to the door with a stiff wire. When the animal steps on the treadle, the door closes behind them.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;">We disguise the wire bottom by covering it lightly with grass or other vegetation. This also provides a comfortable bed for the fox to spend the night. We attract the fox with a small cup of fox-safe food at the very back, past the treadle. The fox must enter far enough to trigger the door and close it behind itself. An aromatic scent is also spread on a branch above the box trap–this scent travels longer distances than the smell of the food and attracts the fox to the area.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;">We cover the box trap with vegetation so the island fox is shaded and protected from any other animals that might come poking around. Then, we leave it overnight and return to check it first thing in the morning.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>Sometimes, animals will try to get to the bait without going inside. This trap was disturbed by ravens! Ravens are extremely smart and will learn that the brightly colored "flagging" we put on trees to mark locations means there is an easy meal nearby.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i></i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu4QRs-Dz9FYyjjlEa09E_h9CfiePQ_f6gGZug8uQQMoUR052Fa16Oyba6j4YaBJW19iEXTHDV5QmOvY8psm7HiMgGiMPiHRPwBeW70k1Ugh9W6h0W6kOsd6F2nKGDhexXH-wtjZ0az7EjsAvYQtB6caWghmCEV6sHbqiulfWVHKfoITRgFJicg/s1080/ravensprungtrap-web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="838" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu4QRs-Dz9FYyjjlEa09E_h9CfiePQ_f6gGZug8uQQMoUR052Fa16Oyba6j4YaBJW19iEXTHDV5QmOvY8psm7HiMgGiMPiHRPwBeW70k1Ugh9W6h0W6kOsd6F2nKGDhexXH-wtjZ0az7EjsAvYQtB6caWghmCEV6sHbqiulfWVHKfoITRgFJicg/w311-h401/ravensprungtrap-web.jpg" width="311" /></a></i></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">If a fox is in the box trap, we first weigh both the trap and the fox. Once the fox is released, we subtract the weight of just the trap to calculate the fox's weight. An adult island fox will weigh between 1.5–3 kg, or 3–6 lbs, with foxes being slightly different sizes on different islands (<a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/about-island-fox.html" target="_blank">largest on Santa Catalina, smallest on Santa Cruz</a>).</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOufQHJP2JCXB75hinb6iXZ2v4QKKnkcRjF8E0eSXb8xdzECwgtM41rSVHcGEmtWte4muqWLelinJnLLfvGCIe2CJb_1AjD3wBIIT2Q-wZQJ_FE97wRO_zt0_oJLJTB3a01Xu_7sZMdMHiU829xk_HAeO9iKHugHiK_0KtFzCx8rWBxVlIfQbjwg/s1430/Picture2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1430" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOufQHJP2JCXB75hinb6iXZ2v4QKKnkcRjF8E0eSXb8xdzECwgtM41rSVHcGEmtWte4muqWLelinJnLLfvGCIe2CJb_1AjD3wBIIT2Q-wZQJ_FE97wRO_zt0_oJLJTB3a01Xu_7sZMdMHiU829xk_HAeO9iKHugHiK_0KtFzCx8rWBxVlIfQbjwg/w546-h382/Picture2.jpg" width="546" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>We carefully remove the fox from the trap, being sure not to get their tail caught in the door!</i></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i></i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l7R6H18N0J6annIuaycV0jVNh5ApbBEfGPa23wbAst0sITRN4J4ldtMYb72jB620Q10MqjNd3TwzDM6nZvL780T0LIZVoPax4FPVwPoCq_Bn-JlklcrYa_pfdfWQj02SLsYSXKOT1FkbOKeqxBI8TbkKSDrrwbFGUeNmuGsp0AZTlQzcchYNuA/s1430/microtag-checkJSanchez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1430" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l7R6H18N0J6annIuaycV0jVNh5ApbBEfGPa23wbAst0sITRN4J4ldtMYb72jB620Q10MqjNd3TwzDM6nZvL780T0LIZVoPax4FPVwPoCq_Bn-JlklcrYa_pfdfWQj02SLsYSXKOT1FkbOKeqxBI8TbkKSDrrwbFGUeNmuGsp0AZTlQzcchYNuA/w401-h332/microtag-checkJSanchez.jpg" width="401" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing we do once we have the fox in hand is scan it for a microchip tag, just like the ones used in dogs and cats. This tells us that the fox has been previously caught. </span></i></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The microchips
are small implants, the size of a grain of rice, and are inserted under
the skin near the shoulder blades using a needle. </span></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSn7KCZuizceayQoGqj3w-caFZ4rh0Vo6YVURNZuBUDLjjI268LO8IUGdMdplR0EmX9dLp4YKZvjAhEAnYr926vPOeogUitQwFuzZerCxyDnqIYWNSQnkWhJLi8x52-IBvGMes2odvbBInK1XQe2FqN9tj7f3f8q9h6Pzu9hVNLXSNSlNcq2yNw/s300/clip_imageAZfd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="300" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSn7KCZuizceayQoGqj3w-caFZ4rh0Vo6YVURNZuBUDLjjI268LO8IUGdMdplR0EmX9dLp4YKZvjAhEAnYr926vPOeogUitQwFuzZerCxyDnqIYWNSQnkWhJLi8x52-IBvGMes2odvbBInK1XQe2FqN9tj7f3f8q9h6Pzu9hVNLXSNSlNcq2yNw/s1600/clip_imageAZfd.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_crcpbbF5uih-cXBCevimB3M14B-cjluAZT2iTk6TiiRn3H73A-tDu62KZibQBasQKftnZhZ6-ChiumpiD42szGl9ykKdjXOWXRFPZWD85DmvsCgkCRe3T4ad1EIn8LGNNUjyq1vk18qkkcS-oL25mCmGB2nhuqai_QvKk_0Epa4FdGyUjjeQZA/s640/islandfoxmicrochip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_crcpbbF5uih-cXBCevimB3M14B-cjluAZT2iTk6TiiRn3H73A-tDu62KZibQBasQKftnZhZ6-ChiumpiD42szGl9ykKdjXOWXRFPZWD85DmvsCgkCRe3T4ad1EIn8LGNNUjyq1vk18qkkcS-oL25mCmGB2nhuqai_QvKk_0Epa4FdGyUjjeQZA/w368-h276/islandfoxmicrochip.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The microchip provides lifelong identification of an individual so we can track its history–the locations it was captured, its age, any injuries, whether it had offspring, vaccines administered, any blood test results, and radio-collar frequencies. - Jessica Sanchez<br /></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/11/shes-back-f257-island-fox-with-story.html" target="_blank">See F257's multi-year story</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The microchip can also alert the biologist that the captured fox has already had a health check that year. If so, it is immediately released.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyNSLbO6T4rxB86Lv-UdsXZwXfPsG2DuWQUEtqb1T77TBc5zTyoZXMQTX2Efplik0NLDR-KR1XDKqg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If not, the island fox will receive a full health check. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/an-island-fox-gets-health-check-part-2.html" target="_blank">Follow as Jessica provides an island fox with a Health Check Part 2 - body condition.</a></b> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/island-fox-gets-health-check-part-3.html" target="_blank">Health Check Part 3 - Preventative care</a></b></span> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2024/01/unexpected-creatures-during-island-fox.html" target="_blank">Other species encountered during health checks </a></b></span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-57386633840662142042023-12-16T15:59:00.000-08:002023-12-16T15:59:12.179-08:00Fox Foto Friday - Radio Collars on San Miguel Island Foxes<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Look who's getting radio tracking collars!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv3SSMb2-CX463qQayOuDSk70fvj0zYN6kKz5vqhjCorbFk6qhRIRtzYoejKQ0UfxYw4IWpuv65wDrwp4IltyP-EiTsd6QrhyphenhyphenxfNdiDWPiwtHhDB_HMJUGspZYX8l9nAIZKdmCcmS_LTXhRDEv9cvDtVJ9_j_YeGTVhcUYGbpxGKuvpGycvQNKw/s537/Pup2023collar1web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv3SSMb2-CX463qQayOuDSk70fvj0zYN6kKz5vqhjCorbFk6qhRIRtzYoejKQ0UfxYw4IWpuv65wDrwp4IltyP-EiTsd6QrhyphenhyphenxfNdiDWPiwtHhDB_HMJUGspZYX8l9nAIZKdmCcmS_LTXhRDEv9cvDtVJ9_j_YeGTVhcUYGbpxGKuvpGycvQNKw/s320/Pup2023collar1web.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island foxes born on San Miguel Island in April of 2023 are now adults and large enough to wear radio collars. Three were fitted with radio collars this week. The mask helps the island fox remain calm while the collar is being fitted.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMEbHemT-JP7aC_W-was2LOBu8Dw2z0YzoDnkKVVjZDmgEdcpDXe5nU3yAzgWjwfX7EFtsE1eucPXrwPurO8-VWNxUZuFRfGvU_2fNFIX8PwNku7ejZ0pFIzYbt0E9U1ovH9dlMHnam8CPyQA6F8PsHs8Vm2eTP1iiPtIYMVxPMiaSKkD-kovUg/s600/Pup2023maskedweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMEbHemT-JP7aC_W-was2LOBu8Dw2z0YzoDnkKVVjZDmgEdcpDXe5nU3yAzgWjwfX7EFtsE1eucPXrwPurO8-VWNxUZuFRfGvU_2fNFIX8PwNku7ejZ0pFIzYbt0E9U1ovH9dlMHnam8CPyQA6F8PsHs8Vm2eTP1iiPtIYMVxPMiaSKkD-kovUg/s320/Pup2023maskedweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Channel Island National Park biologists report this year's young adults are looking very healthy. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Watch them for yourself as they are released with their new radio collars.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="341" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oJ1KqMS6yyU" width="447" youtube-src-id="oJ1KqMS6yyU"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your donations to Friends of the Island Fox </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">help to fund <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/08/island-foxes-are-getting-new-radio.html" target="_blank">radio collars</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/07/radio-collars-and-vaccines-arrive-for.html" target="_blank">vaccinations</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/11/fif-2023-research-grant-to-help-count.html" target="_blank">research</a></b> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">into <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/island-fox-research.html" target="_blank">island fox health and behavior</a></b> </span><br /></p><p><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comSan Miguel Island, California, USA34.037616 -120.37237415.7273821638211544 -155.5286241 62.347849836178845 -85.2161241tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-36750910924004393352023-11-28T16:39:00.000-08:002023-12-14T18:37:56.116-08:00Date With A Fox - Tim Coonan, Biologist<p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Join Friends of the Island Fox for a Virtual Event ! </span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ_JoNuO-Zu2UIM1zCYmsgd50qQtBnAjAJjel96zOW8Zc_B-88J5IzKs2qDV9rHmptPwB58bXq3-Jg49mgDjGiFO5D8KTp9Tfp_SF8OfzQpCxkMRHhtPH1xX4_unm4nXeWWrGTwJgRHqTJ6Qywbjmws-KrcF_4rLDmLtqYh0Zaocv4dZhQXxClg/s913/TCoonanfox_09web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="781" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ_JoNuO-Zu2UIM1zCYmsgd50qQtBnAjAJjel96zOW8Zc_B-88J5IzKs2qDV9rHmptPwB58bXq3-Jg49mgDjGiFO5D8KTp9Tfp_SF8OfzQpCxkMRHhtPH1xX4_unm4nXeWWrGTwJgRHqTJ6Qywbjmws-KrcF_4rLDmLtqYh0Zaocv4dZhQXxClg/w301-h351/TCoonanfox_09web.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Date with a Fox" </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>with guest Tim Coonan</b></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday, December 5 </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6:30 - 7:30 pm Pacific Time on Zoom</b></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tim Coonan is the retired Senior Biologist for Channel Islands National Park. He documented the mysterious decline of island foxes across the northern Channel Islands and uncovered that golden eagles had colonized the islands and were unexpectedly preying on island foxes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="311" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eMKbCGggfjs" width="483" youtube-src-id="eMKbCGggfjs"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">How were the decisions made to bring island foxes into captive breeding? What steps had to be taken to restore the ecosystem so that island foxes could return into the wild and recover their populations? Tim Coonan was there when only 15 individual island foxes remained on San Miguel Island and four populations were listed as Endangered Species. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He released the last captive island foxes back into the wild and is the co-author of <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2010/11/good-news-for-channel-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">"Decline and Recovery of the Island Fox."</a></b> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Join FIF for an intimate conversation with Tim Coonan and a chance to ask your questions about island foxes.</span></p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP7z_FZEv1n-ElwaUQAxkO2y0SzYL2Iet7R5raobHSJkK2-czEAgBJOWO7YgynQB3EdcMnqrQ3I4srL5g7MCvGKFF_b2rVsN_zmPrw0NB9sdAak3H8zC3-KqWSaDwiKEAWTu4uGTtPmcz2tl5321SyQwpFYt6ZLo_B_gDjmg9aS0jY-3zuWo_Rg/s663/TC_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="663" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP7z_FZEv1n-ElwaUQAxkO2y0SzYL2Iet7R5raobHSJkK2-czEAgBJOWO7YgynQB3EdcMnqrQ3I4srL5g7MCvGKFF_b2rVsN_zmPrw0NB9sdAak3H8zC3-KqWSaDwiKEAWTu4uGTtPmcz2tl5321SyQwpFYt6ZLo_B_gDjmg9aS0jY-3zuWo_Rg/s320/TC_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-44015042035590426022023-11-13T09:00:00.001-08:002023-11-13T09:00:00.142-08:00She's Back! F257 - an Island Fox with a Story<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt3baS_Shspljmg3j9yCt99gI-hYceUI1EXh09R-dlp8DApFv6nbO88jzd6fXDnQGNH0G-mV2l-rPvl_EZUt9ExF6LEszMVrHTreNeFcD2NwIfVVCAFFyG8ahqOlQCj-cc8JPnq0SKx6FkHXuNnL-TWBFsaaawH7rAJCImJ8bvj2muxdUN2q2Dw/s1080/F257-2023-momJSchamel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt3baS_Shspljmg3j9yCt99gI-hYceUI1EXh09R-dlp8DApFv6nbO88jzd6fXDnQGNH0G-mV2l-rPvl_EZUt9ExF6LEszMVrHTreNeFcD2NwIfVVCAFFyG8ahqOlQCj-cc8JPnq0SKx6FkHXuNnL-TWBFsaaawH7rAJCImJ8bvj2muxdUN2q2Dw/w280-h373/F257-2023-momJSchamel.jpg" width="280" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />F257 was true to form in 2023. She was captured during island-wide counting on Santa Rosa Island for the fifth year in a row!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This charismatic female island fox was <b>first captured and radio-collared in the fall of 2019</b> as a pup of that year. She was collared in the territory where she was born and there were thoughts she might provide additional data on how far female offspring disperse from their parents' territory.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NGxSAbm4RgROEB-NUWw5OFhqxgnI7p_QPI1HYarrr5oSMd7CHu_ywvheKY-T1QuZHXEX8BClr_sf1rzcivw8jAb0mvcjX2rEo3jLXEibnAYbxjDfaiI1Pi3TRThFsYCa-oLjUERO3wfOdBCXrQAjFinJ1Zp5JYSywyKYPz607JDDYCaGxjAHrw/s960/OldRanchRosa-area2019JSchamelweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="960" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NGxSAbm4RgROEB-NUWw5OFhqxgnI7p_QPI1HYarrr5oSMd7CHu_ywvheKY-T1QuZHXEX8BClr_sf1rzcivw8jAb0mvcjX2rEo3jLXEibnAYbxjDfaiI1Pi3TRThFsYCa-oLjUERO3wfOdBCXrQAjFinJ1Zp5JYSywyKYPz607JDDYCaGxjAHrw/w436-h303/OldRanchRosa-area2019JSchamelweb.jpg" width="436" /></a></span></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She didn't go anywhere. F257 remained in the coastal plain of her childhood. She has been captured each year, not only in the same area, but in exactly the same location. A highly unusual occurrence.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLFbVXNuqobVGUEJnpPHPVnH8ccv9pKXfU6mmfZzK9BoANw50rzRaY2UsHPpm3aT2R98Z_SieTjLvrUnVoZXg48ktkU_biRbnLFaXmmG2KtIeYOvLYu4xO5uft8Aebad92E79RJXj2ADEmbyXPjzNGb9AqA1nKB-B5_livVG_ScHJP7WIlt0_2w/s960/F257_2022-2JSchamelweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLFbVXNuqobVGUEJnpPHPVnH8ccv9pKXfU6mmfZzK9BoANw50rzRaY2UsHPpm3aT2R98Z_SieTjLvrUnVoZXg48ktkU_biRbnLFaXmmG2KtIeYOvLYu4xO5uft8Aebad92E79RJXj2ADEmbyXPjzNGb9AqA1nKB-B5_livVG_ScHJP7WIlt0_2w/w283-h377/F257_2022-2JSchamelweb.jpg" width="283" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Health checks in <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2020/10/remember-this-fox-face-fox-foto-day.html" target="_blank">2020</a></b>, 2021, and <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/09/do-you-remember-this-fox-its-f257.html" target="_blank">2022</a></b> found F257 healthy even during years of drought. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/09/do-you-remember-this-fox-its-f257.html" target="_blank">She even was videoed after receiving her new radio collar.</a></b> But physical evidence revealed that this healthy female island fox had not become a mother. Island foxes typically have pups in their second year, but they can breed before they are a year old if resources are available. During the 2021–22 drought years, most female island foxes did not breed. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This year F257 approached breeding season as a middle-aged fox–4 years old.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The rainy winter suggested a boom of resources for island foxes. We all waited to see what would happen with F257.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySnIDjY1rdpXwKMRTp4q5ZMwAS5Ukg26d9zqY5t66x1sj24P-DeD9cURScpaoIH73o1kUdw__d_Fh_y6F0ZWZT76XLWD9W5pITaJ5HChuFrC0EtCSlvyT5Hgai1HtAz2Zsan07wpPDYzJLMQP51TyhBKi6WClUbf9yGnRQeIV9mC87vTFJOaVpA/s600/f257-2023croppedweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySnIDjY1rdpXwKMRTp4q5ZMwAS5Ukg26d9zqY5t66x1sj24P-DeD9cURScpaoIH73o1kUdw__d_Fh_y6F0ZWZT76XLWD9W5pITaJ5HChuFrC0EtCSlvyT5Hgai1HtAz2Zsan07wpPDYzJLMQP51TyhBKi6WClUbf9yGnRQeIV9mC87vTFJOaVpA/w355-h324/f257-2023croppedweb.jpg" width="355" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When she was captured in September, F257 showed evidence of nursing pups. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island fox females who have NOT been nursing have white bellies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWjNuFA_l-jIB_kuTULh5O9QfY_DG8pZGpJSLlWWcy-Qiu2jwWIkWEStPr4kMygpqDeYq2-iK9h8hcYeMTzysSFsPs28BB_YZvjGmcZbeCk5f4eo8gs__mDaemxnwmZFm-iCsAno5t5bP-fhRsRr4TikTbD0W9w9VPhjdhGqCm7aGUC1YEcvPUw/s720/whitebelly-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWjNuFA_l-jIB_kuTULh5O9QfY_DG8pZGpJSLlWWcy-Qiu2jwWIkWEStPr4kMygpqDeYq2-iK9h8hcYeMTzysSFsPs28BB_YZvjGmcZbeCk5f4eo8gs__mDaemxnwmZFm-iCsAno5t5bP-fhRsRr4TikTbD0W9w9VPhjdhGqCm7aGUC1YEcvPUw/s320/whitebelly-web.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Females that have been nursing have pink bellies.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxyArjV2hf_9r_HZrpwDpSvgmg3Asavmyk7kreU9KPQe-aL6sSYHDJk1JATmW7I8Ew1mYw7u3xQjWHqZj6tmGiBi800PVRGHGT6rNB5VbyqTgueOIytoKTOwAjrYPtcpq5uJE-X_daBbS6ebvOJuSSEGq40SGWkcHfJ1bHc8jU36nNUssXOvVRQ/s720/pink-bellyJSchamelweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxyArjV2hf_9r_HZrpwDpSvgmg3Asavmyk7kreU9KPQe-aL6sSYHDJk1JATmW7I8Ew1mYw7u3xQjWHqZj6tmGiBi800PVRGHGT6rNB5VbyqTgueOIytoKTOwAjrYPtcpq5uJE-X_daBbS6ebvOJuSSEGq40SGWkcHfJ1bHc8jU36nNUssXOvVRQ/s320/pink-bellyJSchamelweb.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">F257 has added her genes to the population of island foxes on Santa Rosa Island. We hope she continues to thrive and tell her story.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2018/03/sex-and-single-island-fox.html" target="_blank">More on island fox reproduction.</a> </span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-40113225929710077232023-11-06T11:02:00.000-08:002023-11-06T11:02:53.542-08:00FIF 2023 Research Grant to Help Count Island Spotted Skunks<p><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox received a record number of grant applications this year. Funds were awarded to two projects. Today we highlight:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Desirae Thomaier a masters student in Biological Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.</span> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4TIDBmQrwxtjh_ccPCbrNa2MvXv9oyjauMeupYITv7KdCJeUGo7c9aEHBRwzHC3TMkeTcXigeMX4MEJxnvcvFzWdiSS8JvgJeoIkxBa8zO5uinAS4uU2EnBYAPbXsMFangH8oeOkigNkfqyBCSx-6HFcSqqW-buJZQy9GoPWLxlC3XaX8mtGGQ/s1024/DeswithFox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4TIDBmQrwxtjh_ccPCbrNa2MvXv9oyjauMeupYITv7KdCJeUGo7c9aEHBRwzHC3TMkeTcXigeMX4MEJxnvcvFzWdiSS8JvgJeoIkxBa8zO5uinAS4uU2EnBYAPbXsMFangH8oeOkigNkfqyBCSx-6HFcSqqW-buJZQy9GoPWLxlC3XaX8mtGGQ/w282-h376/DeswithFox.jpg" width="282" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island foxes share their habitat with island spotted skunks on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. When island fox numbers <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2013/03/channel-island-foxes-and-golden-eagles.html" target="_blank">declined due to golden eagles</a></b>, island spotted skunk numbers increased dramatically. As island fox populations recovered, skunk numbers appeared to decline. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While some researchers have attempted to <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/08/island-foxes-and-island-spotted-skunks.html" target="_blank"><b>follow island spotted skunks with radio-tracking collars</b></a>, the spotted skunks small size and seasonal weight fluctuations make it difficult to effectively use radio collars. Prior studies recommended wildlife field cameras as a way to potentially quantify the number of island spotted skunks on each island.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thomaier's project–<b>Occupancy modeling of Island Spotted Skunks on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands</b>–will deploy 60 field cameras across each island for a full year. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuIz_kTgpynS1RL_fFq-QFG62iUzDsMCtYDOUSXVW8RyLbTRMrlSzQI-oEp6nOrqMQSQSK5SJIkWLkpjOmn63A6s6wiTdRy5uA63VI88Dmd2U42_WtCW6YRdzuv7SYTUu_J_Ftqv8A8aIDXvuLrT-8TxGhCQ7K9QGdNSLBCkWmR9-lUgZMDGmNw/s2048/PZ1_skunk.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuIz_kTgpynS1RL_fFq-QFG62iUzDsMCtYDOUSXVW8RyLbTRMrlSzQI-oEp6nOrqMQSQSK5SJIkWLkpjOmn63A6s6wiTdRy5uA63VI88Dmd2U42_WtCW6YRdzuv7SYTUu_J_Ftqv8A8aIDXvuLrT-8TxGhCQ7K9QGdNSLBCkWmR9-lUgZMDGmNw/w446-h334/PZ1_skunk.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, this effort will provide a better accounting of island spotted skunks </span><span style="font-size: large;">numbers </span><span style="font-size: large;">and how they are "responding to very high fox abundance." <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island spotted skunks are nocturnal. Interactions between island foxes and island spotted skunks under the cover of darkness. Thomaier's cameras may also uncover additional information about the</span> <span style="font-size: large;">interactions between these two island carnivores.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The series of three photos below were taken over the course of 8 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sAtCxk1OKRmRTHMCOtwj4SpKwMhBz5a0mCv4XMUw2UWYyexGlHDHcnYcldHMGSwSr6plptRJB-HRydfY6GW0g2_rANHbNrcJnXZfOa1tLhagnzWSyHsbeY89BG78YMJ9WxCOMz_Cz29gj_ROgagElZFfjfrFxAXn_1DNlNEyY7uRcdYacgWHUQ/s720/1skunk-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sAtCxk1OKRmRTHMCOtwj4SpKwMhBz5a0mCv4XMUw2UWYyexGlHDHcnYcldHMGSwSr6plptRJB-HRydfY6GW0g2_rANHbNrcJnXZfOa1tLhagnzWSyHsbeY89BG78YMJ9WxCOMz_Cz29gj_ROgagElZFfjfrFxAXn_1DNlNEyY7uRcdYacgWHUQ/w344-h258/1skunk-web.jpg" width="344" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One spotted skunk followed less than a minute later by an island fox.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h_rcRf2d9WOQfM1NehOIi-Ub-bxUAHM0sJD37TpYpG2a4gvvS9AOXXaprabazXsI45bMWcJlQBmChyphenhyphenS4JF2vC2B-8c2mLTj33zmPENMKV8mVNc_KfRztIeHwSL0TcULwphKXqFoLqhnIWUo-bV5pyWFOg1gUHdRgMgFByMPYsq9NU5i019J0LA/s600/2fox-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h_rcRf2d9WOQfM1NehOIi-Ub-bxUAHM0sJD37TpYpG2a4gvvS9AOXXaprabazXsI45bMWcJlQBmChyphenhyphenS4JF2vC2B-8c2mLTj33zmPENMKV8mVNc_KfRztIeHwSL0TcULwphKXqFoLqhnIWUo-bV5pyWFOg1gUHdRgMgFByMPYsq9NU5i019J0LA/w335-h251/2fox-web.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Followed 7 minutes later by two island spotted skunks.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeWjZTlxjQI_broRPszkXBicRSMYkHfSkX0XKhCKs-EbyqQees9pqTvvY8bEAlVcKCpJnB1nnJxhCo07zPLCBtpH2DPTzb3ysKuQm6bL8PX7te7FzqKekQaYcso_0VAl-XOoNP89EF_ty9slSgZXMcgCqF53tD2DmeWqTt-bSnVn5GlWTtRtVaQ/s600/3skunkskunk-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeWjZTlxjQI_broRPszkXBicRSMYkHfSkX0XKhCKs-EbyqQees9pqTvvY8bEAlVcKCpJnB1nnJxhCo07zPLCBtpH2DPTzb3ysKuQm6bL8PX7te7FzqKekQaYcso_0VAl-XOoNP89EF_ty9slSgZXMcgCqF53tD2DmeWqTt-bSnVn5GlWTtRtVaQ/w348-h261/3skunkskunk-web.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">One skunk is in the upper left corner with the second skunk right on its heels. (</span><span style="font-size: large;">photos courtesy of Channel Islands National Park)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What is the story here? We really don't know. Hopefully, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Thomaier's research project will help provide a more accurate count of island spotted skunk populations and shine a light on the complicated relationship between these two island predators.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island spotted skunks may <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/12/fif-research-grant-will-investigate.html" target="_blank">deserve separate species status</a></b>. FIF Research Grant 2022 recipient Julia Owen will be presenting at the California Island Symposium this week in Ventura.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-45400127728289116332023-10-17T14:16:00.001-07:002023-10-17T14:18:27.346-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cX2M4Ptd3ZinIKpReH6GA4857G7itwLpdDxbYHcNGnm9U4OxJCJCwBC7u8_Xa91cCql_HkFhqy4EasoAKsD5uCFmyhhgriGom79L5TnW-wEJpcvnbKi_wdcG5aC2AL3OY5oBqLmewMKRcULX1BmZ44WSBwVM4EzP3esDiJlJpV2rVjVzyKk7Kw/s1080/P22-Day-Festival_2023_Join-Us.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cX2M4Ptd3ZinIKpReH6GA4857G7itwLpdDxbYHcNGnm9U4OxJCJCwBC7u8_Xa91cCql_HkFhqy4EasoAKsD5uCFmyhhgriGom79L5TnW-wEJpcvnbKi_wdcG5aC2AL3OY5oBqLmewMKRcULX1BmZ44WSBwVM4EzP3esDiJlJpV2rVjVzyKk7Kw/s320/P22-Day-Festival_2023_Join-Us.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox will be at the </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://savelacougars.org/p-22-day/" target="_blank">P-22 Day Festival</a> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday October 22 at Griffith Park<br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Come by our booth and see if you can detect what island foxes have been eating.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdR674Wk534MUn33I40Ta552Ym0sA3USVMcr1baszP2tKRYAwo6UR0wx0-jKEzhsy2KorlPh4Ysqou0s9pmMC6rvc_O9PX7n0Y3SqyPV6AtkYpGjfjI-Fd4DOAVhAedmg9idOKDhqOFeZtCcHvRTW5iGUqVbYIQBSxifwiExhNVt5UlTD_QQMzg/s288/islandfoxtanitailweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="288" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdR674Wk534MUn33I40Ta552Ym0sA3USVMcr1baszP2tKRYAwo6UR0wx0-jKEzhsy2KorlPh4Ysqou0s9pmMC6rvc_O9PX7n0Y3SqyPV6AtkYpGjfjI-Fd4DOAVhAedmg9idOKDhqOFeZtCcHvRTW5iGUqVbYIQBSxifwiExhNVt5UlTD_QQMzg/s1600/islandfoxtanitailweb.jpg" width="288" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8f459qPV6oTv76Ev4-uelLsvUtqWe6FQnOWJKWbXm2ZDFuf11DjTv6FHuKeOoDh19t0DNerEFfTHuGvqxStj8h3OqmggXvvi8o8_A_HYBsY_Zc96w8wmm-TOTRcVdsDMyzAoSoVFVIdS-vKuKAAnALWNj_en2etG5ttBZIFqBWCX-IbG3aLjHQ/s720/islandfoxwdataNicoleAdamsweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="720" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8f459qPV6oTv76Ev4-uelLsvUtqWe6FQnOWJKWbXm2ZDFuf11DjTv6FHuKeOoDh19t0DNerEFfTHuGvqxStj8h3OqmggXvvi8o8_A_HYBsY_Zc96w8wmm-TOTRcVdsDMyzAoSoVFVIdS-vKuKAAnALWNj_en2etG5ttBZIFqBWCX-IbG3aLjHQ/s320/islandfoxwdataNicoleAdamsweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We'll also be unveiling our new Island Fox Science </span><span style="font-size: large;">shirt -<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's Science, for Fox Sake! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">- to raise funds for island fox scientific research. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Come out to celebrate the life of mountain lion P-22 and support California wildlife at the P-22 Day Festival.</span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-74667139014965138422023-08-31T15:36:00.003-07:002023-08-31T15:36:51.005-07:00Island Foxes Are Getting New Radio Collars<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudX9eczLqEW2G_M6oAMewftvd8Tqye06k78wrQun3b39WbSdV4On9ilTkjtw42kFbTMqehSOwWTPRerVQ9rvXQNFmTc76I84Met5FVBBe9sntI7XOfZ0uwtjob1iuX2oFAvMsmg0vNY0rrKU7Cws55YAhlnN4_98WDeDF7y5GrSau5aDweWJAhA/s900/foxwgpssideCICjlkweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudX9eczLqEW2G_M6oAMewftvd8Tqye06k78wrQun3b39WbSdV4On9ilTkjtw42kFbTMqehSOwWTPRerVQ9rvXQNFmTc76I84Met5FVBBe9sntI7XOfZ0uwtjob1iuX2oFAvMsmg0vNY0rrKU7Cws55YAhlnN4_98WDeDF7y5GrSau5aDweWJAhA/s320/foxwgpssideCICjlkweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Six new radio collars funded by Friends of the Island Fox will arrive on Catalina Island next week!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Across the Channel Islands, island foxes are receiving annual health checks and new radio-tracking collars.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpkexVpd2cXUzj8irerszf3jo3yXCq72MjqjJXwcA92LQEX2qFfeXDDViyC39Lv2aGax1yUNaPK4p6dFYDBQyWkz8XEgN4sGKFNayjalYPysfR9U-ItZVRpVhbdr70CpxD-mKNN_wFY39yIjeGqme1vAN2KX9di_AImWlYrRejiYiyrmioaHBMg/s960/F257_2022-2JSchamelweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpkexVpd2cXUzj8irerszf3jo3yXCq72MjqjJXwcA92LQEX2qFfeXDDViyC39Lv2aGax1yUNaPK4p6dFYDBQyWkz8XEgN4sGKFNayjalYPysfR9U-ItZVRpVhbdr70CpxD-mKNN_wFY39yIjeGqme1vAN2KX9di_AImWlYrRejiYiyrmioaHBMg/w263-h350/F257_2022-2JSchamelweb.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Watch the video below of M173. He is a four-year-old male on Santa Rosa Island and his radio collar was replaced last week during his health check.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He is not tranquilized. The green hood covers his eyes and keeps his mouth closed. This keeps him calm and enables biologists to quickly <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/10/radio-collars-going-on-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>complete a health check</b></a>, <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/supporting-island-fox-health-across.html" target="_blank">vaccinate the fox against canine distemper and rabies</a></b>, and for some island foxes, deploy a new or refurbished radio collar.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ufMqCyWT0k" width="481" youtube-src-id="4ufMqCyWT0k"></iframe></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">This radio collar will send signals to biologists for the next 2–3 years. The signal will help locate M173 and the type of signal informs the biologist if he is moving around normally or if something might have happened to him. In the case of a mortality signal, biologists can follow the signal to find the island fox's body and determine what happened. If there is a threat to other island foxes, action can be taken quickly.</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For the 2023 health check season Friends of the Island Fox has supplied:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/07/radio-collars-and-vaccines-arrive-for.html" target="_blank">5 new and 15 refurbished radio collars to Santa Cruz Island</a></b></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">24 refurbished radio collar to San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">6 new radio collars to Catalina Island </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOA_9SzwhZJ7JeH3kONmYqH9L5sPZ67SCf8kqF-uZbCpICWDdxk6aSFe_jHiHvi3KYQq-8wHe0RPkXbRPDj-ebrGKV3Zz6J3rI0FknF_MrZzFCgSc9i1wG2IOUM7ZiqGXPPx_7cVP8PJZFiswWZJzk0mHBYzXGXigJb9ui33KlJT9UByIZ7EQrg/s410/IslandFox25-YearsLogoweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="410" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOA_9SzwhZJ7JeH3kONmYqH9L5sPZ67SCf8kqF-uZbCpICWDdxk6aSFe_jHiHvi3KYQq-8wHe0RPkXbRPDj-ebrGKV3Zz6J3rI0FknF_MrZzFCgSc9i1wG2IOUM7ZiqGXPPx_7cVP8PJZFiswWZJzk0mHBYzXGXigJb9ui33KlJT9UByIZ7EQrg/s320/IslandFox25-YearsLogoweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Radio collars offer the best way to monitor island fox survival </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">in the wild. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your donations make it all possible.</span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-14143510726804713952023-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:002023-08-04T09:00:00.137-07:00FIF Research Grant Application Deadline Approaching<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx1sq8TOmsHvAwJ2UAmGYgyUoLiOl4cx7W-JUv2GeHBkjJ6a2hhQOSdHG5WOlwA596Y-yybGuUD_NfpPAddhQPcqUGKFxq8ibi6BqHFmA3yCTmSpIxN7cWPNgZYE8qPcGGYhihmd4O0cPk2IgNhMyDJwgvc75jVgfC8BqZZBDbNAa-EGG84O4zA/s1000/spottedskunkEBolas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx1sq8TOmsHvAwJ2UAmGYgyUoLiOl4cx7W-JUv2GeHBkjJ6a2hhQOSdHG5WOlwA596Y-yybGuUD_NfpPAddhQPcqUGKFxq8ibi6BqHFmA3yCTmSpIxN7cWPNgZYE8qPcGGYhihmd4O0cPk2IgNhMyDJwgvc75jVgfC8BqZZBDbNAa-EGG84O4zA/w403-h268/spottedskunkEBolas.jpg" width="403" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are island spotted skunks genetically different enough from mainland spotted skunks to warrant species status? <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/12/fif-research-grant-will-investigate.html" target="_blank">FIF 2022 Research Grant recipient Julia Owen</a></b> is probing the island spotted skunk genome.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXU39vhz8XyK8qR8IQNVzgSLZSTsZxaBVe3qD1gHfGWU8uEN9rNuceiihnp3Cuny6SmZWG-qC2tEHhSAc7LyjawkNxC_VUDbxuryqcBVWadFbYdKjkIJU_lNMydv-vb35JF6CVOHhJ6-UZ5WeA1kkKLxAWRfQtnXgl3az24b_Qa-HMm5G95s5Vw/s1080/F422-SBakerweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1080" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXU39vhz8XyK8qR8IQNVzgSLZSTsZxaBVe3qD1gHfGWU8uEN9rNuceiihnp3Cuny6SmZWG-qC2tEHhSAc7LyjawkNxC_VUDbxuryqcBVWadFbYdKjkIJU_lNMydv-vb35JF6CVOHhJ6-UZ5WeA1kkKLxAWRfQtnXgl3az24b_Qa-HMm5G95s5Vw/w364-h247/F422-SBakerweb.jpg" width="364" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are island foxes crossing into the territory of other island foxes to access beach foods on Santa Rosa Island? <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/11/fif-research-grant-to-investigate.html" target="_blank">FIF 2021 Research Grant recipient Katie Elder</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/04/island-foxes-and-beach-foods.html" target="_blank">recipient Juliann Schamel</a></b> continue to investigate island fox territory size and diet. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are you investigating island foxes, prey species,
Channel Island ecosystem dynamics, public education and attitudes toward
island fox conservation, or any topic relating to island fox </span><span style="font-size: large;">survival</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and a healthy island ecosystem? <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apply for FIF's 2023 Island Fox Research Grant</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.islandfox.org/pdfs/FIFResearch%20Grant/FIF_Grant_Application2023.pdf" target="_blank">Download Application</a></b> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grants will be considered </span><span style="font-size: large;">for </span><span style="font-size: large;">up to $7,000<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Application Deadline August 28 </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-50394556304435009592023-07-21T14:34:00.001-07:002023-07-21T14:34:05.837-07:00Radio Collars and Vaccines Arrive for Island Foxes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvh-7-N53sDbZfMBBl-V8eqs2cmCx4vhCiPfmyqUvht-Fth2416bNFkKpoJmxZ-RwS5R_nB8nrvoL5q28kJKAzmY__8-E4xgCwuQLAypKElau2WHRgRFsdSb_ckuPIkeH8FPrNAKhOqHjKD0AGaG2eEhk5Csg9L70zs5GJaSrhD1mtjCm0_PWJg/s1196/IMG_0315b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1196" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvh-7-N53sDbZfMBBl-V8eqs2cmCx4vhCiPfmyqUvht-Fth2416bNFkKpoJmxZ-RwS5R_nB8nrvoL5q28kJKAzmY__8-E4xgCwuQLAypKElau2WHRgRFsdSb_ckuPIkeH8FPrNAKhOqHjKD0AGaG2eEhk5Csg9L70zs5GJaSrhD1mtjCm0_PWJg/s320/IMG_0315b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/island-fox-status-update-2023.html" target="_blank">Island fox populations are stable</a> </b>across the Channel Islands, but recovery is only as sustainable as our participation in protecting them from introduced threats.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Radio Monitoring</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Radio-tracking collars remain the best technology for monitoring island fox survival. These collars allow biologists to determine from a distance that an island fox is alive and active in its habitat. If something happens to a fox and it stops moving for 6 hrs, the radio collar signal changes, alerting biologists that something has happened to that individual island fox. Quick response to the death of a collared fox allows new diseases or other threats to be discovered early–protecting the rest of the uncollared population. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2PhpOin79ofTc83P1LbF9MU0zTWomxcWS80QMWWuJ-UUdWm_wROjmmuLVCMIbEDYZ2Hxlc1Kydqxnk7Ha3ic3Lnla4Xnky8riIn-AVZQGucRPCIWft12PeAXo6mQAuLkxtGNn6IBrm9uVWBbYFudi7PA-88IFTzf_4iyPs9zNS42k1mIjGmzdg/s900/2022radiocollarsNPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="574" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2PhpOin79ofTc83P1LbF9MU0zTWomxcWS80QMWWuJ-UUdWm_wROjmmuLVCMIbEDYZ2Hxlc1Kydqxnk7Ha3ic3Lnla4Xnky8riIn-AVZQGucRPCIWft12PeAXo6mQAuLkxtGNn6IBrm9uVWBbYFudi7PA-88IFTzf_4iyPs9zNS42k1mIjGmzdg/w249-h391/2022radiocollarsNPS.jpg" width="249" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">New and refurbished radio collars have just arrived. <br /></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">5 new and 15 refurbished radio collars for Santa Cruz Island</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">24 refurbished radio collars for Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuc6mASvaxXaZ3gAjwDuinjpjGRbuz92-r6rxpnjx3vldMfac_TLRJTM5yDsQuNjTnAAsDCsU7P1UNq63ZoriQctHOapfKQEiEpiZ1Uj8R3KQCniTrkLpC0f-lczBuVeLoQ49IxxDVTbSuzOW9HBYNBVcc5fnRqulQmuIgPal2MQQScXi9AtAeQ/s900/LBrennerCollarfoxCatalinaCuteweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="601" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuc6mASvaxXaZ3gAjwDuinjpjGRbuz92-r6rxpnjx3vldMfac_TLRJTM5yDsQuNjTnAAsDCsU7P1UNq63ZoriQctHOapfKQEiEpiZ1Uj8R3KQCniTrkLpC0f-lczBuVeLoQ49IxxDVTbSuzOW9HBYNBVcc5fnRqulQmuIgPal2MQQScXi9AtAeQ/w237-h354/LBrennerCollarfoxCatalinaCuteweb.jpg" width="237" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">44 radio collars will be fitted on island foxes over the next few months. They were funded through:</span><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">combining small donations - 18 collars<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/island-fox-ambassadors-making-difference.html" target="_blank"><b>Island Fox Ambassador project</b></a> - 1 collar<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/12/running-for-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">"Cassidy Runs for Foxes"</a> </b>- 4 collars<b><br /></b></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">radio collar sponsorships (private individuals and Pomona Valley Audubon) - 13 collars<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Riverbanks Zoo & Garden grant - 2 collars<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/09/zoos-helping-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">Fresno Chaffee Zoo Wildlife Conservation Grant</a> </b>- 6 collars<b><br /></b></span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwzfiOmNWB5PUyBaobc0YmvDqfUAwfyG50X1M6k3eirgv43QgnyJ7-yikjqao-Mq7P-7M-9Ll8K_ADvxA4G5GwSOHRaNv0UyPSbdGZniIFX6-xxsUzksdZkRLi_SYzt1D6YLtY49KIgVuqypEA1eEbc1TORw4OQAK6h4iRTTx2yYDUO0gbSHenQ/s900/CDVbottleweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="900" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwzfiOmNWB5PUyBaobc0YmvDqfUAwfyG50X1M6k3eirgv43QgnyJ7-yikjqao-Mq7P-7M-9Ll8K_ADvxA4G5GwSOHRaNv0UyPSbdGZniIFX6-xxsUzksdZkRLi_SYzt1D6YLtY49KIgVuqypEA1eEbc1TORw4OQAK6h4iRTTx2yYDUO0gbSHenQ/s320/CDVbottleweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Vaccinations Against Distemper and Rabies</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Despite vaccine price increases, you helped FIF raise the $13,571 needed to vaccinate 650 island foxes in 2023.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Vaccine for rabies and canine distemper has gone out to Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Catalina Islands. On the three northern islands, 100 foxes will be vaccinated during health checks, while 350 island foxes will be vaccinated on Catalina. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/island-fox-status-update-2023.html" target="_blank">Why are more foxes vaccinated on Catalina?</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It takes a community to vaccinate island foxes:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">Private donors, big and small </span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/island-fox-ambassadors-making-difference.html" target="_blank">Camarillo Neighborhood Recycling project</a></b></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">FIF 2023 Island Trip Participants</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Channel Islands Maritime Museum "Scent of the Islands" candle sales</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/02/fresno-chaffee-zoo-helps-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">Fresno Chaffee Zoo Wildlife Conservation Grant & special year-end grant</a></b></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Riverbanks Zoo & Garden grant</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Every donation makes a difference for island fox survival.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWS0p4XhKKbGf0HWXaGYi148gz994zB6lDxtlsdGIvMNuHPQsjc_f9PpQzAiC6n1jyMOyoFKDac_rnjf71DoQEBQx3w7__gsQt06pa9OlYx0cRXODcSLQjUvraWQ6tZIug1s9BbnvipLK_2IFoZS0UBl8do6XA93YK80Qqg4MrY9J71jXSeYASQ/s900/islandfox-healthcheck2021web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="900" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWS0p4XhKKbGf0HWXaGYi148gz994zB6lDxtlsdGIvMNuHPQsjc_f9PpQzAiC6n1jyMOyoFKDac_rnjf71DoQEBQx3w7__gsQt06pa9OlYx0cRXODcSLQjUvraWQ6tZIug1s9BbnvipLK_2IFoZS0UBl8do6XA93YK80Qqg4MrY9J71jXSeYASQ/w346-h264/islandfox-healthcheck2021web.jpg" width="346" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-48068441191149575782023-06-20T10:00:00.001-07:002023-06-20T10:00:00.138-07:00Island Fox Status Update 2023<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Island fox populations are healthy, but the differences between each island subspecies are becoming more apparent. </b></span> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WlGIsF3SO4kLwvccUQC2p1R7hp1LQP5KAsgGMrAZZID_euCli-90uTzt143E7NRAQb6oiNpzHtZ2x2d7RNkEIp9NQavBlTnrJI3WiLCXPURQLVAepoXT44sJ7mbmdfb4xu0o9REqa3gzcogFJ0DUDxGCW9eLN4jYthLggKkvCNTmMQ2wuZ1S8g/s600/IslandFoxKimMichaelsweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WlGIsF3SO4kLwvccUQC2p1R7hp1LQP5KAsgGMrAZZID_euCli-90uTzt143E7NRAQb6oiNpzHtZ2x2d7RNkEIp9NQavBlTnrJI3WiLCXPURQLVAepoXT44sJ7mbmdfb4xu0o9REqa3gzcogFJ0DUDxGCW9eLN4jYthLggKkvCNTmMQ2wuZ1S8g/w410-h293/IslandFoxKimMichaelsweb.jpg" width="410" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following is the update from across the Channel Islands as compiled from notes by Friends of the Island Fox at the 25th Annual Island Fox Working Group Meeting held May 18, 2023 at the Santa Barbara Zoo (hybrid meeting).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Reported population numbers are official estimates from each land manager as calculated during the 2022 counting period. <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2014/04/the-science-of-counting-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">(<b>How are island foxes counted</b></a>)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vqzo_lm6Sgufzw95chF9uBuT5Z2VAZaY9UeCFt3T8WenKYB1_DBt_mpeVAZH5cYXLchmcX0YnhBFUnAS73Yyrjdihbpj6QbhUsLugEzBOTvGQ8uiI35cj0fwdXODLGnZjvyYcGLKMgqyI2V1p_CGlD6T5NaL36UxK0oyHciB_axes_dWn0ZNkQ/s863/FOXSummarygraphic2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="679" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vqzo_lm6Sgufzw95chF9uBuT5Z2VAZaY9UeCFt3T8WenKYB1_DBt_mpeVAZH5cYXLchmcX0YnhBFUnAS73Yyrjdihbpj6QbhUsLugEzBOTvGQ8uiI35cj0fwdXODLGnZjvyYcGLKMgqyI2V1p_CGlD6T5NaL36UxK0oyHciB_axes_dWn0ZNkQ/w293-h372/FOXSummarygraphic2023.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Overview</b>: Island foxes appeared healthy across the islands, but while some populations increased toward near record highs, others declined. Increasingly, island fox populations are revealing different health risks, climate impacts, and island specific challenges.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Microbiome research</b>. Each island ecosystem effects the natural bacteria of its island fox population. Three islands have ear mites: Nicolas, Clemente, and Catalina. Both Clemente and Catalina Island foxes have reduced bacterial biodiversity, but only Catalina Island foxes develop chronic inflammation in conjunction with out of balance bacteria and develop cancer if ear mites are not treated. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/01/virtual-program-how-microbes-influence.html" target="_blank">More about microbiome research</a></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg4-hYhj4tjJF8msL1iSJ4NrD71RSawhHafNnVnnmx6JyYUHbodDi6H3pxDf89VNGNKtBEtDw0RcchgfpVrKcKCD7LIU6D3aYBFtmhQ5Hm95MYLvk5FVBjSjnMOovdkWG5-q_oiyejHnW21s_ZKKzATIGKCU6yQpPCPuaWP4JxUGtzxFgjy2_YA/s640/image3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="640" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg4-hYhj4tjJF8msL1iSJ4NrD71RSawhHafNnVnnmx6JyYUHbodDi6H3pxDf89VNGNKtBEtDw0RcchgfpVrKcKCD7LIU6D3aYBFtmhQ5Hm95MYLvk5FVBjSjnMOovdkWG5-q_oiyejHnW21s_ZKKzATIGKCU6yQpPCPuaWP4JxUGtzxFgjy2_YA/w358-h234/image3.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Island fox life span may vary by island.</b> The age of many island foxes is documented because most individuals are microchipped. In 2022, two island foxes on San Miguel Island died naturally of old age at 11 and 12 years old. At the same time, the oldest island fox captured on San Nicolas Island was 9. Santa Rosa currently has the greatest density of island foxes and collared foxes that died during the year were 2–7 years old. Island fox life span may be influenced by multiple variables. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/10/estimating-island-fox-age-using.html" target="_blank">Determining age from tooth cementum<br /></a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Island size influences fox population limits.</b> Smaller islands, like San Miguel and San Nicolas can only support 300–450 island foxes. When drought, catastrophic heatwaves, or other survival challenges occur, these smaller populations are more vulnerable to loss. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The leading threats to island foxes in 2023 are:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>biosecurity</b>: the threat of introduced viruses, disease, and/or non-native animals</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>reduced funding for monitoring</b></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>climate change</b>: increasing regional temperatures and decreasing annual rainfall, which reduce resources, increase wildfire, and promote greater parasite numbers</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiUzGz969qh9ARwV6hS0NtvnR-bWNNB3ihO63sMWreiFA6ac5Wld6jX6hVDKXhOc6h-0HI7570US59jr9IjLHwFrWFe2LkCGJDhHlI0A3ZqxXzHLhfEAdYBdpVzNYnZZe51h4KDFmXTZszNbtu24ofHm2x3GO8kD-Gf5SeMT51ZJgwYAN4GrOSw/s640/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiUzGz969qh9ARwV6hS0NtvnR-bWNNB3ihO63sMWreiFA6ac5Wld6jX6hVDKXhOc6h-0HI7570US59jr9IjLHwFrWFe2LkCGJDhHlI0A3ZqxXzHLhfEAdYBdpVzNYnZZe51h4KDFmXTZszNbtu24ofHm2x3GO8kD-Gf5SeMT51ZJgwYAN4GrOSw/w351-h235/image0.jpeg" width="351" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Greatest Concern:</b> While other island fox populations remained stable or even increased, San Clemente Island foxes declined by an estimated 30%, without a known cause. Individual island foxes on San Clemente appear healthy and pups were documented in numbers similar to other islands. This decline is being investigated; it's a strong reminder that these island populations are vulnerable and can be effected quickly by a negative force. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Disease threats remain high for all island foxes. As populations reach <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/05/island-foxes-and-carrying-capacity.html" target="_blank">carrying capacity</a></b> and island foxes live closer together, it becomes easier for viruses to pass from fox-to-fox. Friends of the Island Fox is responding to this increased concern by <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/supporting-island-fox-health-across.html" target="_blank">supporting canine distemper and rabies vaccinations across four islands in 2023</a></b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You can help protect island foxes by being a biosecurity guardian; watch the <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/09/help-protect-biodiversity-of-channel.html" target="_blank"><b>video</b></a></span><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl90N3gza9lrBHwGzM72mDYRqQADgf2EZzkLWGb124XvVJsQTdSlHbfISOISHBMWjXOq3nIH2KjWrcE_JQc0tnyiy9VZii9-NF0s5mQn6l_A3nVkKKrjAA9U8T7e94NYc82uU5Xlk--2yXPu40zYE0Rhtuj3KyAjn_cU9oVHGbpSzSP45o5lRqlw/s1200/small-islands-2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1200" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl90N3gza9lrBHwGzM72mDYRqQADgf2EZzkLWGb124XvVJsQTdSlHbfISOISHBMWjXOq3nIH2KjWrcE_JQc0tnyiy9VZii9-NF0s5mQn6l_A3nVkKKrjAA9U8T7e94NYc82uU5Xlk--2yXPu40zYE0Rhtuj3KyAjn_cU9oVHGbpSzSP45o5lRqlw/w508-h430/small-islands-2023.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Smaller Islands</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The two smallest islands San Miguel and San Nicolas remain stable, but you can see in the graph above that the trend was completely different on San Clemente Island.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>San Miguel Island</b> (<i>lime green line</i>) - This population continues to increase from a drought impact low in 2018. In 2022, an individual island fox on San Miguel had an 82% chance of surviving the year, the highest survival rate reported across the islands for the year. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>San Nicolas Island </b>(<i>pink line</i>) - Easing drought also benefited San Nicolas Island foxes and their individual health improved. However, island foxes have begun congregating in areas where people offer food. As a result Adenovirus (dog flu) and Parvovirus are spreading and increasing across the island; fortunately, no fatalities have been attributed to the diseases. Being hit by a car remains the greatest threat to these island foxes. FIF is working with the Navy on an education program to reduce this threat.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>San Clemente Island</b> (<i>blue line</i>) - The population dropped lower than it has been since 2008. Car strike is especially frequent on this island–42 fatalities in 2022–with the majority being young foxes. This, however, doesn't account for the overall decline. Researchers are evaluating the survival rate for pups and other potential causes.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgAA45o3sTt_rXnGVdhQeNwtf2Xk68h2_5lEOgWDtOOstegIORzEDfvzbPLbZqtx5fsJeMnjmAhYkALnHlY_3BnP4DsaoXM9IH5YPW-9P2a5IAd2x8R2mwX_ufmIeugDosuYWQ2-Hvk8wz7FVZq1Vn-UGXnCqv1sc_8GwlnixZGPCxRNMVAXiuw/s1200/large-islands-2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1200" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgAA45o3sTt_rXnGVdhQeNwtf2Xk68h2_5lEOgWDtOOstegIORzEDfvzbPLbZqtx5fsJeMnjmAhYkALnHlY_3BnP4DsaoXM9IH5YPW-9P2a5IAd2x8R2mwX_ufmIeugDosuYWQ2-Hvk8wz7FVZq1Vn-UGXnCqv1sc_8GwlnixZGPCxRNMVAXiuw/w501-h404/large-islands-2023.jpg" width="501" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Larger Islands</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The current population sizes of the larger islands have helped provide greater stability and resilience against climate change impacts. All of the island fox populations on the larger islands are at or near documented population highs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Santa Catalina</b> <b>Island</b> (<i>red line</i>) - Catalina Island foxes benefited from easing drought; their general health improved and viruses in the population declined. Currently, human activity poses the greatest threat. Not only are island foxes hit by cars, they get trapped in man-made structures and are killed by pet dogs. Catalina has the greatest threat of canine distemper or rabies being introduced. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/06/supporting-island-fox-health-across.html" target="_blank">FIF funded vaccinations for 350 island foxes on this island and health testing.</a></b> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Santa Rosa</b> <b>Island </b>(<i>pink line with squares</i>) - This island currently has the greatest known island fox density, with 12.4 foxes per sq km. The calculated rate for an individual to survive the year declined to 75%, but the population remained unchanged. While several collared foxes aged 2–7 died during the year, the cause of death remains unknown because of a lack of staffing in the National Park to recover the bodies for testing. The <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/06/gps-tracking-collars-vs-radio-telemetry.html" target="_blank">two GPS radio collar studies of island fox territory</a></b> supported by Friends of the Island Fox continue. Data should be available later this summer. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Santa Cruz Island</b> (<i>black line</i>) - Santa Cruz Island has the largest island fox population, but increasing competition has edged down the chance of an individual island fox surviving through the year to 55%. Still, island foxes appear healthy. Ten sentinel foxes died during the winter, but their bodies were not recovered for testing due to stormy weather. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Across the Channel Islands, island foxes are stable and healthy because people like you are investing in their future. Your donations to Friends of the Island Fox fund vaccinations, radio collars for monitoring, health efforts, education, and important research. </span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-11855919775237719412023-06-09T09:00:00.001-07:002023-06-09T09:00:00.150-07:00Island Fox Ambassadors Making a Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmO1Jf9mpA80eqFvrZTTWWTSM-ofWu5izq1oCkorI_cTcHnw4nm4Y4BzKGjUhRk_UT7rfPPV0fIwaIpzMo7qlkal6tzN5e4PByJYvzw6d0Hej1IcYhFovq7Rb3-HC4qjQBwQ3MrWrzvuPqqXS6Jhri9vr3RAej9RxUWX5YzqXsc84t37FbCc/s1024/Fox%20Pups,%20San%20Miguel,%202009%20Inge%20Rose%20009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmO1Jf9mpA80eqFvrZTTWWTSM-ofWu5izq1oCkorI_cTcHnw4nm4Y4BzKGjUhRk_UT7rfPPV0fIwaIpzMo7qlkal6tzN5e4PByJYvzw6d0Hej1IcYhFovq7Rb3-HC4qjQBwQ3MrWrzvuPqqXS6Jhri9vr3RAej9RxUWX5YzqXsc84t37FbCc/s320/Fox%20Pups,%20San%20Miguel,%202009%20Inge%20Rose%20009.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Island Fox Ambassadors help island foxes by:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">educating others about island foxes</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">directly supporting island fox conservation in some way</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">or improving the island fox's habitat</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK2LbVvp0MOhSjn_ebEKeFLhE8LU-Q8yINKSzLQyT8azuw1-llImCHLKQnZreNdHEOzi7LP1EAKmrMv8CalcF3YSqfqCucl99WnyTIzhbCDhIqXiCgvLQahgfiQlbcf3lrMUamKfVOIGM-YZSX4uFJdW-0XDfK91TCKYbgxl8lNBkVI2zA6E/s640/wands-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK2LbVvp0MOhSjn_ebEKeFLhE8LU-Q8yINKSzLQyT8azuw1-llImCHLKQnZreNdHEOzi7LP1EAKmrMv8CalcF3YSqfqCucl99WnyTIzhbCDhIqXiCgvLQahgfiQlbcf3lrMUamKfVOIGM-YZSX4uFJdW-0XDfK91TCKYbgxl8lNBkVI2zA6E/w265-h353/wands-a.jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Magic Wands for Foxes</b><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Benjamin
and Larissa in Georgia wanted to help island foxes. They
handmade these magic wands and sold them. Their hard work and
creative idea help fund the <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/09/do-you-remember-this-fox-its-f257.html" target="_blank">refurbishing of a radio collar</a></b> that will be
going on an island fox this summer.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrQi0r9fLhDho58BTVtNghrUHaavZWrUXpZ2FRqivg6qyE6JM5wVEK6mMkIw7jb8UdtOGmgr1zD62fVNUSRsu9wuwUnLPFgF9uhwy1CbiaktOUl2g2RKgwQFfs1FnrzmTp3476WgR80v3Dw_IpZq1D1HRx-6DsMtnMLh7lzqPFb4L2qTcZNM/s640/wands-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrQi0r9fLhDho58BTVtNghrUHaavZWrUXpZ2FRqivg6qyE6JM5wVEK6mMkIw7jb8UdtOGmgr1zD62fVNUSRsu9wuwUnLPFgF9uhwy1CbiaktOUl2g2RKgwQFfs1FnrzmTp3476WgR80v3Dw_IpZq1D1HRx-6DsMtnMLh7lzqPFb4L2qTcZNM/s320/wands-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cans for Vaccinations</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kris
in California became passionate about island foxes when her daughter
worked as a biologist on the Channel Islands. She watched <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/06/friends-of-island-fox-vaccinates-island.html" target="_blank">island foxes being vaccinated</a></b> against canine distemper virus and rabies and
understood how vital this effort is to island fox survival. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kris
saw aluminum cans and plastic bottles being discarded as trash
and decided to help island foxes. She's created a
neighborhood recycling effort and over the past three months has
collect $300 worth of recyclables to vaccinate 15 island foxes.</span></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmD3mZLIQZ1w43GgJG6uTcZ0Pm34jOlxMo58ePY_HPI748G7xYPFEkps3mQ18Iyq8YBjdkIZi2yB1LAuqAnDkUqIgJx9QTF1Y76IqgXnzKFZjbMrm5e9UBL06Mnj2SeFLpB9IG3M3M42F_U3fL9Dyf6LE3z9rjGjMRZoG5aYdQyA8XwwbOB8/s1196/IMG_0315b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1196" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmD3mZLIQZ1w43GgJG6uTcZ0Pm34jOlxMo58ePY_HPI748G7xYPFEkps3mQ18Iyq8YBjdkIZi2yB1LAuqAnDkUqIgJx9QTF1Y76IqgXnzKFZjbMrm5e9UBL06Mnj2SeFLpB9IG3M3M42F_U3fL9Dyf6LE3z9rjGjMRZoG5aYdQyA8XwwbOB8/s320/IMG_0315b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island Fox Ambassadors have one thing in common: a desire to help island foxes!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq_lS3xm_gODcPu_KBoPLUneJT7fi6J7hT_C5QAWvKzmBHip-q9ewYUqON_Hxuge2tKNfS3vjzGMB8cPABZcSRPIfWa3L0W-b6MUtyoocO9IegLt2YSAsF7ck7_KPs2T8ITMQVtxUmI3oD8yHxVydH3xDQllGs6XLIYJ5y_RFeFdU3bLnxSI/s590/Canolino_ElementaryAmbassad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="590" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq_lS3xm_gODcPu_KBoPLUneJT7fi6J7hT_C5QAWvKzmBHip-q9ewYUqON_Hxuge2tKNfS3vjzGMB8cPABZcSRPIfWa3L0W-b6MUtyoocO9IegLt2YSAsF7ck7_KPs2T8ITMQVtxUmI3oD8yHxVydH3xDQllGs6XLIYJ5y_RFeFdU3bLnxSI/s320/Canolino_ElementaryAmbassad.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">Age is not a requirement - Ambassadors range in age from children to <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2012/08/foxy-ladies-help-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">foxy ladies</a></b></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcEXRXph3wQgfeIhqYNvPJDBJ8t_eYnPzIw7fcI_bTl2aJNZ-tMUhnvSDWv1YzrXQSrprxbhE10aWV-hqUq8nXCaXfIau-E6acQvO4wVE4jPGh9Tl5zHyRS4ud76Gqe5AHcPiS2IyMbgpSUWxEP7hwS122La1AMiawYXddSqlsTxp3pek6KU/s879/golfladiesweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="879" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcEXRXph3wQgfeIhqYNvPJDBJ8t_eYnPzIw7fcI_bTl2aJNZ-tMUhnvSDWv1YzrXQSrprxbhE10aWV-hqUq8nXCaXfIau-E6acQvO4wVE4jPGh9Tl5zHyRS4ud76Gqe5AHcPiS2IyMbgpSUWxEP7hwS122La1AMiawYXddSqlsTxp3pek6KU/s320/golfladiesweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ambassadors can be individuals, classes, schools, groups, or even a <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/06/foxes-for-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>baseball team</b></a>.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GI9JdLOJ1C2T6BYRHK4f4DAGnuY_UpABPPJtvatuDD8AABGHenH_cp0jMbNN8AYJq2MrZwoKpsiyInAxClucIFnLrujmuWAlHS6sFpNMPxKpzYQSVTAFHbXNKNm3W7wtFP-cvIPGCMTEgzX876mCdf1dsNPNVHRnLLAL9fx7nVHqrtfwTic/s259/FCF_FULL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="259" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GI9JdLOJ1C2T6BYRHK4f4DAGnuY_UpABPPJtvatuDD8AABGHenH_cp0jMbNN8AYJq2MrZwoKpsiyInAxClucIFnLrujmuWAlHS6sFpNMPxKpzYQSVTAFHbXNKNm3W7wtFP-cvIPGCMTEgzX876mCdf1dsNPNVHRnLLAL9fx7nVHqrtfwTic/s1600/FCF_FULL.JPG" width="259" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> You can be an Island Fox Amabassador, too.</span> <br /><p></p><p><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2018/09/children-helping-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Other Island Fox Ambassadors</span></a></b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV140VR2L1aaQRrvEQpDoa0fPFyTMZunP1x3p8wI0FP49loUb2kV3hU68CB8v9uC_yA4bRbALIymbsYp_nmaKNpUZAd2PPMSuWPDvKmimxv_yPLbgwXwwp7lRIcun09hHeop9UWbzStroF4Qg1oByaN7zCUtwePZqy4G9mzGcVEXu4WS2TO8I/s288/boxforfox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="255" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV140VR2L1aaQRrvEQpDoa0fPFyTMZunP1x3p8wI0FP49loUb2kV3hU68CB8v9uC_yA4bRbALIymbsYp_nmaKNpUZAd2PPMSuWPDvKmimxv_yPLbgwXwwp7lRIcun09hHeop9UWbzStroF4Qg1oByaN7zCUtwePZqy4G9mzGcVEXu4WS2TO8I/s1600/boxforfox.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-45809654273887679182023-06-02T15:04:00.001-07:002023-06-02T16:22:15.194-07:00Supporting Island Fox Health Across the Channel Islands<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Every donation makes a difference!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzeXXNGpURFxqb5ON8tDhfqBwvzTOdVtV-AoJh-msWOf-7y3Rd2IPE6cp45GpDCMVTAYgdg9ZHMhFejBQU0KQhKcKPC0SmGea-YC2h2HvsztUJ3smcUoN4U1lvGoTO7hK_LJgaCeewZPUf8J0FEsrqd2k4sQp8D3dKO6McS8exXwFwPuDLlw/s1200/MikeandMHenk2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1200" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzeXXNGpURFxqb5ON8tDhfqBwvzTOdVtV-AoJh-msWOf-7y3Rd2IPE6cp45GpDCMVTAYgdg9ZHMhFejBQU0KQhKcKPC0SmGea-YC2h2HvsztUJ3smcUoN4U1lvGoTO7hK_LJgaCeewZPUf8J0FEsrqd2k4sQp8D3dKO6McS8exXwFwPuDLlw/s320/MikeandMHenk2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIF presents support for island fox disease testing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the Island Fox Conservation Working Meeting on May 20th, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">FIF not only celebrated </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdKHrPPWF_3CoU741K2pdg-eHD3L9Blfow5vUYbs7xhp29iGHKzgCmGPSPtuk0opI39sBW97JO85MdqlnNzTbsrDZxpl14VJoH_ReHnmtuppMsiL_AEjVGKHl4chmlHYGF1L-3bn0A0M7zsflbGbaf7dlqKMq3XWptHl7S8I8uxarvDsdCwY/s410/IslandFox25-YearsLogoweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="410" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdKHrPPWF_3CoU741K2pdg-eHD3L9Blfow5vUYbs7xhp29iGHKzgCmGPSPtuk0opI39sBW97JO85MdqlnNzTbsrDZxpl14VJoH_ReHnmtuppMsiL_AEjVGKHl4chmlHYGF1L-3bn0A0M7zsflbGbaf7dlqKMq3XWptHl7S8I8uxarvDsdCwY/s320/IslandFox25-YearsLogoweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">...your donations went to work!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">FIF President Mike Watling presented Makenzie Henk, Wildlife Conservation Manager for the Catalina Island Conservancy with $4,100 to support testing island foxes for virus exposure. Catalina Island foxes face the greatest threat from introduced disease. Blood samples from Catalina Island foxes are tested for five viruses. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2014/04/studying-island-fox-blood.html" target="_blank">More about this testing</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/10/radio-collars-going-on-island-foxes.html" target="_blank">health checks</a></b>. Interview with Henk and <b><a href="https://catalinaconservancy.org/stories/island-scientists-talk-foxes/" target="_blank">CIC thanks Friends of the Island Fox</a></b>.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSixZgUIfPSQY9GeqEfFQyJZIhPtXINkFwtb0ut3Bl7-42uGSJV_gz-1UhIDwo9MV6lCM3ElDDBYY1B2wlyZGmcVrZgGA9OUT6HCvrIwkaCZdEB6MGfX7JrdX1EiLivxEq9SQq_t6ekiTvbW70kT7_muLzs_bbvjuyEd94uyUKtJxpKm1TVEo/s900/CDVbottleweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="900" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSixZgUIfPSQY9GeqEfFQyJZIhPtXINkFwtb0ut3Bl7-42uGSJV_gz-1UhIDwo9MV6lCM3ElDDBYY1B2wlyZGmcVrZgGA9OUT6HCvrIwkaCZdEB6MGfX7JrdX1EiLivxEq9SQq_t6ekiTvbW70kT7_muLzs_bbvjuyEd94uyUKtJxpKm1TVEo/s320/CDVbottleweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox also funded $4,540 in canine distemper and rabies vaccine to protect island foxes within </span><span style="font-size: large;">Channel Islands National Park </span><span style="font-size: large;">on San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and the southern tip of Santa Cruz Island. Canine distemper virus is lethal to island foxes and vaccination protects them for almost a year. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBm0xzJTOLKhmzO3oWBI3pCsSRHdjYhMif7kYcacsCKn0r1S2HqX-0FcYF4T4QzVlL_FFB2cOhA34muXW1SR8B9ubyw0QFsFG5GUTDIfZxutikAsFM0KjpGtrmVMp8G-RX8oENbYqh9xLgqX_sZmvughMC0pKh6CWHiBtc9C5aXlQs1O2fhY/s692/CICvaccinationcroppedweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBm0xzJTOLKhmzO3oWBI3pCsSRHdjYhMif7kYcacsCKn0r1S2HqX-0FcYF4T4QzVlL_FFB2cOhA34muXW1SR8B9ubyw0QFsFG5GUTDIfZxutikAsFM0KjpGtrmVMp8G-RX8oENbYqh9xLgqX_sZmvughMC0pKh6CWHiBtc9C5aXlQs1O2fhY/s320/CICvaccinationcroppedweb.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island foxes across the Channel Islands will be receiving vaccinations as population counting and health checks take place between June and early December. Vaccine will be going out to other islands soon. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Your donations will help FIF provide </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">nearly $13,000 worth of vaccine in the next few months </span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-11223507862881002342023-05-12T16:44:00.002-07:002023-05-12T16:44:53.906-07:00What Questions Do You Have For Island Fox Experts?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsI-hLJuZepDltI8-rtyiCry4elukqNH4wDsYA5BjD8JowzX04HV66600WO5WyEz90Wt7rkAMtSMIXJEegpSib3TlwewH4Li_Mt71TeZpD99AuO1GOLli6B3YMHQtGTYrKu4lE80pMt8KRsxfS2rJufiJkKCGVFForhsZ2XxT_fJZ-sBj_2Q/s410/IslandFox25-YearsLogoweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="410" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsI-hLJuZepDltI8-rtyiCry4elukqNH4wDsYA5BjD8JowzX04HV66600WO5WyEz90Wt7rkAMtSMIXJEegpSib3TlwewH4Li_Mt71TeZpD99AuO1GOLli6B3YMHQtGTYrKu4lE80pMt8KRsxfS2rJufiJkKCGVFForhsZ2XxT_fJZ-sBj_2Q/s320/IslandFox25-YearsLogoweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Next week </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the Island Fox Conservation Working Group </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">meets for its </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">25th Annual Meeting !</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's a time to celebrate the biologists, land managers, researchers, technicians, veterinarians, ecologists, government agencies, academic institutions, and conservation organizations that all came together to formulate a plan and take action to save island foxes from extinction and shepherd their recovery. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2qIYYVzlwl-ZljA8UrnL_BrYbPpaUODB3TigPW2QGrC1dB9Pl3mBZjACbAAl3A6en8TDHi6EuZYYuKHXM7GVapnwAT5eG_xZwY5IFnvChUxfY6MVf10D0Y7uriZimlw3mI2q7BJGjj3j7JfSqde7-jOGuuWAr2O5JPU5Vxy331coV66KlcI/s480/TimCoonanFIFRosa2008web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="480" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2qIYYVzlwl-ZljA8UrnL_BrYbPpaUODB3TigPW2QGrC1dB9Pl3mBZjACbAAl3A6en8TDHi6EuZYYuKHXM7GVapnwAT5eG_xZwY5IFnvChUxfY6MVf10D0Y7uriZimlw3mI2q7BJGjj3j7JfSqde7-jOGuuWAr2O5JPU5Vxy331coV66KlcI/s320/TimCoonanFIFRosa2008web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LxO-DtRJDTrYslt7Fx7XbbcHwIjeztf30WEp-1Lpb-9X52_-mO2ITg2H8PhXmQl56M38alBDY7a8299xBdj5SNxUir5FreewQNFcEtANub8ljCLClpgv2I7QuCoB1IVsqYDco0K0XPaZKAW2AqgaF_GcLVgM8_wEwXxziEjvZrZFdTrp1wY/s1200/NPSfoxexamSMI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1200" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LxO-DtRJDTrYslt7Fx7XbbcHwIjeztf30WEp-1Lpb-9X52_-mO2ITg2H8PhXmQl56M38alBDY7a8299xBdj5SNxUir5FreewQNFcEtANub8ljCLClpgv2I7QuCoB1IVsqYDco0K0XPaZKAW2AqgaF_GcLVgM8_wEwXxziEjvZrZFdTrp1wY/s320/NPSfoxexamSMI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It is also a time to ask questions of the folks that were on the ground trying to discern why island foxes were disappearing on the northern islands in the late 1990s.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And how was it discovered that canine distemper virus was killing island foxes on Catalina Island in the south? </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7G7-CKp_v0x2cE-7ENZioIZlvKAvPQk_1W78IWd0p2AcaDIoKVGYN7-reWECtp2MrcKyh_yd2bl0BPWxU_LyIwIa0WlFK7cacM8sQPToWRibqD7qXIOv3EUC8omFuGezLmRdeujY7Jhb0ICsUnped9gm56AR-vbaTuEhjK6vIDFIfYX-rnA/s747/Tachismall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="747" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7G7-CKp_v0x2cE-7ENZioIZlvKAvPQk_1W78IWd0p2AcaDIoKVGYN7-reWECtp2MrcKyh_yd2bl0BPWxU_LyIwIa0WlFK7cacM8sQPToWRibqD7qXIOv3EUC8omFuGezLmRdeujY7Jhb0ICsUnped9gm56AR-vbaTuEhjK6vIDFIfYX-rnA/s320/Tachismall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeAhKt8r9HdTu7sUL5picb72o9pD4E5aHpYJEs_ZhfS6CiTEM9WTBx8IMTg1a6SONvqJzs67B4IAlABkVktg5Z5IOJK57BWPCg6iiw6qNorOvnSGIloSex9EeGqeyfOudtqDWGRlQAgmri9npyLmPi-xswmEMH2T2hus-4m59UZL570B5O5A/s400/JKlook-in-ears-for-mitesweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeAhKt8r9HdTu7sUL5picb72o9pD4E5aHpYJEs_ZhfS6CiTEM9WTBx8IMTg1a6SONvqJzs67B4IAlABkVktg5Z5IOJK57BWPCg6iiw6qNorOvnSGIloSex9EeGqeyfOudtqDWGRlQAgmri9npyLmPi-xswmEMH2T2hus-4m59UZL570B5O5A/s320/JKlook-in-ears-for-mitesweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">How were the Catalina Island foxes saved from high levels of cancer?</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What do we still need to find out about island foxes to protect them into the future?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Friends of the Island Fox </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">is looking for your questions </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday May 18, we'll be posing your questions to the people of the Island Fox Working Group and videoing their answers.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Send your questions to <a href="mailto:info@islandfox.org">info@islandfox.org</a></span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-72842763686963600802023-04-18T17:30:00.000-07:002023-04-18T17:30:10.071-07:00FIF Research Grant 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO58P4LFFQVCIiZw83v2NNsB2hC69Vx4aKUJ8pSb55pxoBAs8feqn5I6sJwbNwAXjp6rHbILV7e_Qgu9f5dOwuuAzUE84afknkdUF8dNiUiqr2tCiveb__q65aww7KpNWalvhe5pPKUfPp6Pn87OYJejkmd81utLsbg5yc2cS5lv1v58x3MRM/s917/RosaMtfoxcloseJSchamelNPSweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO58P4LFFQVCIiZw83v2NNsB2hC69Vx4aKUJ8pSb55pxoBAs8feqn5I6sJwbNwAXjp6rHbILV7e_Qgu9f5dOwuuAzUE84afknkdUF8dNiUiqr2tCiveb__q65aww7KpNWalvhe5pPKUfPp6Pn87OYJejkmd81utLsbg5yc2cS5lv1v58x3MRM/s320/RosaMtfoxcloseJSchamelNPSweb.jpg" width="314" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island is taking applications through August for the<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FIF 2023 Research Grant</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Download <b><a href="http://www.islandfox.org/pdfs/FIFResearch%20Grant/FIF_Grant_Application2023.pdf" target="_blank">APPLICATION</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">From <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/06/gps-tracking-collars-vs-radio-telemetry.html" target="_blank"><b>dietary investigation linked with</b> <b>territory use</b></a> to <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/12/island-fox-microbiome-at-smithsonian.html" target="_blank">microbes affecting island fox health,</a></b> new science is revealing the complex world of island foxes and the Channel Island ecosystem.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This year FIF will be offering up to $7,000 in support toward research projects benefiting greater understanding of island foxes and the Channel Islands.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Qvn00gdw_wEj6rO2kUjCquObImry0BwG1PwvJUP3o8pJ8kfZS4_TMOAgnojpuOorxTXitjDvfZQIzoE1Uvc-kVBnHTrOgt7Rf3bCh5MfZXDwZvl3KydTFnUwL1V9cZREyogo1wc35D8vyvDK8tX5Xbo5dWdPDxhVTwp9kHTFyFBg46TYG8/s2048/Captured%20collared%20skunk.%20Photo%20credit%20C.%20Gagorik-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Qvn00gdw_wEj6rO2kUjCquObImry0BwG1PwvJUP3o8pJ8kfZS4_TMOAgnojpuOorxTXitjDvfZQIzoE1Uvc-kVBnHTrOgt7Rf3bCh5MfZXDwZvl3KydTFnUwL1V9cZREyogo1wc35D8vyvDK8tX5Xbo5dWdPDxhVTwp9kHTFyFBg46TYG8/s320/Captured%20collared%20skunk.%20Photo%20credit%20C.%20Gagorik-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Last year's grant project is working to reveal the <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/12/fif-research-grant-will-investigate.html" target="_blank">Spotted Skunk Genome</a></b> and how the island spotted skunk is related to mainland populations.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Island spotted skunk origins may help support evolving information on how island foxes initially arrived on the Channel Islands. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">More on current and past <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/island-fox-research.html" target="_blank">FIF Funded Research</a></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIABlobidz4MV79qM4WJEZGG3Q_4_ZiWdShiiRK7SD7RNPh1u3urBJNR9bw3Obkl3Bc0ip0DP84_fBLaWGYotISYhyx9V5XkuQ7BmXCga0NwYKhHspdgl3Y1t7xDP8v6HNVomQi21B8roSrHSbssTg_t344z594otQYaKHx2J-ulgH1uekFXs/s1080/Swab-Sample-CIC2021-Watlingweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIABlobidz4MV79qM4WJEZGG3Q_4_ZiWdShiiRK7SD7RNPh1u3urBJNR9bw3Obkl3Bc0ip0DP84_fBLaWGYotISYhyx9V5XkuQ7BmXCga0NwYKhHspdgl3Y1t7xDP8v6HNVomQi21B8roSrHSbssTg_t344z594otQYaKHx2J-ulgH1uekFXs/s320/Swab-Sample-CIC2021-Watlingweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">FIF grant winners are asked to provide public updates on their work. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">See presentations by Fox Researchers for <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/p/videos.html" target="_blank">"Date with a Fox" programs</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/02/island-foxes-on-cover-of-molecular.html" target="_blank">Recently published island fox science</a></b></span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CbqLJhh22DxWi-BDaFfGDe525K_6Fe5_6aNk2KqqiHQVELgu8mNcnQhxeqBo-PesiJwnt7BpmkxOfhhvpx6WknII319Ut2uxsDc7CEAlI2duHQSZynRChoBcJUYiUXhModZ4SU2uVm0ixb4DwwwB19BM65UGKJ2Cn7qAqsCNtyo9qEmN_0E/s720/Victor-conducting-telemetry.-Photo-credit-C.-Gagorik-2web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CbqLJhh22DxWi-BDaFfGDe525K_6Fe5_6aNk2KqqiHQVELgu8mNcnQhxeqBo-PesiJwnt7BpmkxOfhhvpx6WknII319Ut2uxsDc7CEAlI2duHQSZynRChoBcJUYiUXhModZ4SU2uVm0ixb4DwwwB19BM65UGKJ2Cn7qAqsCNtyo9qEmN_0E/s320/Victor-conducting-telemetry.-Photo-credit-C.-Gagorik-2web.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Important island fox research is funded by DONORS LIKE YOU. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's Science for Fox Sake!</span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgl1Wzf_OISoPIEU7P8Lt0NY--7isbi3Gwg06xaDya5RV9e6b_722NGDE9i9lmh30NnKIbERn9vsn6OC2ha_odMvBxgfm-nzrfFm3x4fDYY2bA_eV_J_XmlNs5TFVTAe9Gzps15JOeCNA0JXg10kSdmagLHE1qlpM2gaQ__56Hc1XtA4PbfI/s720/Fox%20Watermark-8MSerrailcrp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="720" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgl1Wzf_OISoPIEU7P8Lt0NY--7isbi3Gwg06xaDya5RV9e6b_722NGDE9i9lmh30NnKIbERn9vsn6OC2ha_odMvBxgfm-nzrfFm3x4fDYY2bA_eV_J_XmlNs5TFVTAe9Gzps15JOeCNA0JXg10kSdmagLHE1qlpM2gaQ__56Hc1XtA4PbfI/s320/Fox%20Watermark-8MSerrailcrp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-20770143605887545142023-03-30T19:16:00.003-07:002023-04-14T14:34:20.143-07:00Join FIF on a Trip to Santa Cruz Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlBMfXAHo-oEA6-NAHAzW6RYCSiUmdURkbSFKb5aDTfCIcaoSL5upC4fzBYYyn73Dm0nnBiHh18wWKXKiEM2VTANzmEz7Jb5mCvUhV6FFM7XbbyM3ftxPPzdmp3Fms7AvQkmNdqg7FdfzF_9mOIhl2o0JU_w8dDI1B_obsfyElNbzTKJdUj0/s508/SantaCruzFresnoZooreps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="437" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlBMfXAHo-oEA6-NAHAzW6RYCSiUmdURkbSFKb5aDTfCIcaoSL5upC4fzBYYyn73Dm0nnBiHh18wWKXKiEM2VTANzmEz7Jb5mCvUhV6FFM7XbbyM3ftxPPzdmp3Fms7AvQkmNdqg7FdfzF_9mOIhl2o0JU_w8dDI1B_obsfyElNbzTKJdUj0/s320/SantaCruzFresnoZooreps.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Spring is a great time to visit the Channel Islands!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox is headed to Santa Cruz Island for the day on:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>May 20th, 2023</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We'll check-in at Ventura Harbor at 8:15 am </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>and return around 5 pm.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The $75 </span><span style="font-size: large;">(per person) </span><span style="font-size: large;">registration includes: boat fare, FIF naturalist guides on the island, and a donation to support vaccinating island foxes against canine distemper virus.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">4/14/23 Trip is SOLD OUT</span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Each trip to the islands is an adventure...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRRK_ylCCCH2BbByl_7QJJgXF-5zHKlHlRNuvBgkODLPjRtworAKxF7-jxUUcyyQEcnMQ8wCy8OzzF_kfagWRGgijNw0Gavmmvds1mphA5FOVbY_CeRwln89u7500AMze_ON9m1rSdBrcPITklLlWRZgg5o4pl23QWUTKGNH7a1Ua73JNDzE/s1280/commondolphinJMartinoffweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1280" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRRK_ylCCCH2BbByl_7QJJgXF-5zHKlHlRNuvBgkODLPjRtworAKxF7-jxUUcyyQEcnMQ8wCy8OzzF_kfagWRGgijNw0Gavmmvds1mphA5FOVbY_CeRwln89u7500AMze_ON9m1rSdBrcPITklLlWRZgg5o4pl23QWUTKGNH7a1Ua73JNDzE/s320/commondolphinJMartinoffweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JUKvNEIR8CWyeNwMCumvW2BlG17RuoGWtitW2ZisqkcjImx9jyZsJlk7jWEouw5iVYWzKy3RfqezIcLC4TYR_fs1sCOU0WLDKAO53OPWHUZrkl9_vfiykf8BK3JemGmW4uwqnf81K6TewA_tTTsAVCQyOzY4jyVZNQOYnueXPfLh5JK_-OY/s1280/foxclosetopeopleCruzKDearbornweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1280" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JUKvNEIR8CWyeNwMCumvW2BlG17RuoGWtitW2ZisqkcjImx9jyZsJlk7jWEouw5iVYWzKy3RfqezIcLC4TYR_fs1sCOU0WLDKAO53OPWHUZrkl9_vfiykf8BK3JemGmW4uwqnf81K6TewA_tTTsAVCQyOzY4jyVZNQOYnueXPfLh5JK_-OY/s320/foxclosetopeopleCruzKDearbornweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />... <span style="font-size: large;">and we never know for sure what wildlife we might see. Island foxes and island scrub-jays are typically seen where we are headed. <br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hrOx5fHA6R-o9XrwaiwZdz8T1-wWYRfZFoW2NTgnNGUpNVrnKMRtgjLdJhlNABoKHHFZnKqRRVOzk61plaG6Y-HgVTShRIMNjPR9q3n5hyvLwaOw3SkhLmhB6fk3VN1RwGFDJU-MQIvU62awXmDlsgBVttR7NQNUSlW0wBQcunYAnH_eVg0/s288/BandedIalandScrubJay4_smallweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="288" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hrOx5fHA6R-o9XrwaiwZdz8T1-wWYRfZFoW2NTgnNGUpNVrnKMRtgjLdJhlNABoKHHFZnKqRRVOzk61plaG6Y-HgVTShRIMNjPR9q3n5hyvLwaOw3SkhLmhB6fk3VN1RwGFDJU-MQIvU62awXmDlsgBVttR7NQNUSlW0wBQcunYAnH_eVg0/s1600/BandedIalandScrubJay4_smallweb.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The dock at Scorpion Landing is new and only requires two steps on the boat to access a ramp; no more metal ladder to climb.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Reservations are taken on a first come basis. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">4/14/23 Trip is SOLD OUT</span></b> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Come enjoy the islands, see island foxes, and help protect their future.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLKgT6oVseJ81_z4JZNQscL_KO8fP6-sK5Yu02uoccC04OZ2_H3ZZZ8jlqEsq4dbsQ4PKvJeGbs2o2XqwG-tcuQNOBhqGYJ-TURZnc5O6f1SfKEJszfVw6g948gcQIjGiDMk92y9r4VW8fr2lZk8NrcU0tuKhv3hfZ6RbA0e2-ZSqH-_Nj7Q/s720/SantaCruz2015DMweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="720" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLKgT6oVseJ81_z4JZNQscL_KO8fP6-sK5Yu02uoccC04OZ2_H3ZZZ8jlqEsq4dbsQ4PKvJeGbs2o2XqwG-tcuQNOBhqGYJ-TURZnc5O6f1SfKEJszfVw6g948gcQIjGiDMk92y9r4VW8fr2lZk8NrcU0tuKhv3hfZ6RbA0e2-ZSqH-_Nj7Q/s320/SantaCruz2015DMweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-29870009945493080422023-03-13T10:00:00.001-07:002023-03-13T10:00:00.167-07:00Everything You Wanted to Know About Island Fox Pups<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTQU4PQVrKNbj8OHaJ5wEeVixgnHs-kG_Zovk67WSQYmQ4oZiLFXi2IH9E6Rx6WBPhBp_T7fzGxRmSAZhPPwtZQVPGwQroWIFO02dI08V9OU_AOVceKihJM6kCQ6h4ZnfVNj9JcO0PG9gnEHIqk7zLD__eLfaqIBNPY5B0c9GoIPcs1ujNKo/s288/islandfoxpupIRose2009sm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="228" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTQU4PQVrKNbj8OHaJ5wEeVixgnHs-kG_Zovk67WSQYmQ4oZiLFXi2IH9E6Rx6WBPhBp_T7fzGxRmSAZhPPwtZQVPGwQroWIFO02dI08V9OU_AOVceKihJM6kCQ6h4ZnfVNj9JcO0PG9gnEHIqk7zLD__eLfaqIBNPY5B0c9GoIPcs1ujNKo/w263-h332/islandfoxpupIRose2009sm.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">island fox pup, courtesy of I. Rose<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Across the Channel Islands, island fox parents are finding hidden-away spots for a den where females can give birth to pups. Most island fox pups are born in April.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How big are island fox pups at birth?</b> Small - about the size and weight of two AA batteries.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmAIvEcP4dtEILwVbBGG7hoTIHJjM-S0_SZtAQTAMzxcJV8yNuwgDL1c3uGQXAJkI4WdN_LH1CeXxrMdrzO1uVunMgC4i0QSJeu7_INaHUsVSVW6LYpYyEn45qnTgNnt6UvcTghibBsuz98fvzqEP1-atQiEE-OcEDrqvG-JpiGb4Qpyasl4/s202/islandfoxtani1web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="202" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmAIvEcP4dtEILwVbBGG7hoTIHJjM-S0_SZtAQTAMzxcJV8yNuwgDL1c3uGQXAJkI4WdN_LH1CeXxrMdrzO1uVunMgC4i0QSJeu7_INaHUsVSVW6LYpYyEn45qnTgNnt6UvcTghibBsuz98fvzqEP1-atQiEE-OcEDrqvG-JpiGb4Qpyasl4/s1600/islandfoxtani1web.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What do you call baby island foxes?</b> Pups or kits. At birth their natal fur is a cocoa brown and their ears appear small and rounded. The pup pictured was born at a zoo in 2006–at that time there was a small breeding population in a few zoos. Island fox dens are not disturbed in the wild.</span></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLgWdXzKbYe7alJtG3Jy-X834W1DRNR5v_-m-oT2pdP64H4PkHHBLPekmkygu-kQsRsUBLLqmEDmI5-8xzDOpIPtuRBRNxXejaaEnifGQQH2wcnnwgJPJqidGK56UGbkKdZubt18i6VWBh3EOxQBF3EhFDqV6ZVrrW9Kyu_CYrjIQbKahDHA/s288/islandfoxpupsRose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="230" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLgWdXzKbYe7alJtG3Jy-X834W1DRNR5v_-m-oT2pdP64H4PkHHBLPekmkygu-kQsRsUBLLqmEDmI5-8xzDOpIPtuRBRNxXejaaEnifGQQH2wcnnwgJPJqidGK56UGbkKdZubt18i6VWBh3EOxQBF3EhFDqV6ZVrrW9Kyu_CYrjIQbKahDHA/s1600/islandfoxpupsRose.jpg" width="230" /></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">When do pups emerge from the den? </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">Typically in June. When pups come out into the world they have replaced their baby fur with a coat that looks like their parents. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2015/03/what-color-is-island-fox.html" target="_blank">Island fox fur</a></b><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How many pups are in a litter?</b> Typically, 2–3 pups are born in a litter. Play between siblings is an important part of learning to hunt and interact socially. If food resources are abundant, an island fox pair can have up to 5 pups. In years of drought, few pups are born. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/07/2022-island-fox-status-update.html" target="_blank">Drought year, 2021</a></b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What sounds do pups make? <a href="http://islandfox.org/audio/EC1_IF_YoungISLANDFOXSBzoom.mp3" target="_blank">LISTEN</a></b> to the sounds of a young island fox pup.</span><br /></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBzM6I_Jlo2XyVwziRbOyqBfI5HE67sIjmvS-65ULi-M84Po3kmvNCVOFsf-vKL72pf5AOvzOvV_vIK1kPhjaEgwEMgUxImtJlTjHPv53hv4lrqLp2PhIhofW_H0AxbmuQexmX6l_W_HdXvY1RWA5KAbnL77AyJ7OHiPQR6STgvhs9nugD7Q/s800/ifoxwithdeermiceNPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBzM6I_Jlo2XyVwziRbOyqBfI5HE67sIjmvS-65ULi-M84Po3kmvNCVOFsf-vKL72pf5AOvzOvV_vIK1kPhjaEgwEMgUxImtJlTjHPv53hv4lrqLp2PhIhofW_H0AxbmuQexmX6l_W_HdXvY1RWA5KAbnL77AyJ7OHiPQR6STgvhs9nugD7Q/w373-h199/ifoxwithdeermiceNPS.jpg" width="373" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What do they eat?</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Like all mammals, island fox pups initially nurse milk from their mother. Gradually, they eat prey brought to them by both of their parents. The parent above is bringing 3 island deer mice back to the den. Both parents teach the pups to hunt and find plant foods. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2014/11/new-findings-on-island-fox-diet.html" target="_blank">Island fox diet</a></b></span><br /><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgX4vdD_GTHJajaqu_6hWudtoH_gK_BNMgVf0iMsTrHEoxr8IaiQsL9mdnKBxij4A-m8el1Y7Oljbx9BVQCNvE6b0Eoqxh9jrp9YEZtOfa_N4QZl23aSP5a9xkxmEZnhXsrsScUuNxqBR3Z538fUcIGz1RoKmcR3ddTQlTG081vZr2WP9SlE/s580/familyattrap0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="580" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgX4vdD_GTHJajaqu_6hWudtoH_gK_BNMgVf0iMsTrHEoxr8IaiQsL9mdnKBxij4A-m8el1Y7Oljbx9BVQCNvE6b0Eoqxh9jrp9YEZtOfa_N4QZl23aSP5a9xkxmEZnhXsrsScUuNxqBR3Z538fUcIGz1RoKmcR3ddTQlTG081vZr2WP9SlE/w393-h299/familyattrap0605.jpg" width="393" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Are island foxes born knowing how to hunt and find food?</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> No. All of the <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/09/zoos-helping-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>island foxes currently in captivity</b></a> were pups that were separated from their parents and did not learn how to provide for themselves in the wild. Island fox pups need their parents to teach them how to hunt and find food.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2018/07/island-fox-success-story-pup-and-mother.html" target="_blank">Video - Island fox pup reunited with mother</a></b><br /> </span><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-4405573533414512762023-02-24T17:34:00.002-08:002023-02-24T17:34:38.319-08:00Island Foxes on the Cover of Molecular Ecology<p><span style="font-size: large;">Fox Foto Friday - Island foxes make the cover of another scientific journal!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4qSbeePLN6kuQbz9uaiR0IY9gODh1lHP0ROqHaXJ63QXBaapZ6C3amRoda4DB82ieT7W8_nnQibIZnRBTTngZfAh8pWbpvVnZJVkdxXI4GwlEQzx2R3RtlQzotD6Aq_9hEgc_ZaXQT5FH4dU9y2ID9wOK5rdrKvH8Rj83XnT7eofcrWjS1E/s1080/Lu2023_MicrobesSCA_Cover-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="822" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4qSbeePLN6kuQbz9uaiR0IY9gODh1lHP0ROqHaXJ63QXBaapZ6C3amRoda4DB82ieT7W8_nnQibIZnRBTTngZfAh8pWbpvVnZJVkdxXI4GwlEQzx2R3RtlQzotD6Aq_9hEgc_ZaXQT5FH4dU9y2ID9wOK5rdrKvH8Rj83XnT7eofcrWjS1E/w281-h369/Lu2023_MicrobesSCA_Cover-web.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friends of the Island Fox congratulates<b> <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2023/01/virtual-program-how-microbes-influence.html" target="_blank">Jasmine Lu</a> </b>on the publication of her paper–"Ear mite infection restructures otic microbial networks in conservation–reliant Santa Catalina Island foxes (<i>Urocyon littoralis catalinae</i>)"–in <i>Molecular Ecology</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVcl0rYNLGMYUK2pRykc0rHxq4CY5H-kwaFYT1Em7GVTHXt9y8n9AnN2GO4IQLXBXGvcEmdqEm657EJhJZuXLVdobiiUHgnNfaFJ8LHOVJBLVG4gDBJ_1WxXjeGZxCpW-dBd52w-_8xEtFu3Ke61PM6BI59NCXI0YQZa3itqub_Ba6u4-U7M/s1356/JasmineLu-image_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1053" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVcl0rYNLGMYUK2pRykc0rHxq4CY5H-kwaFYT1Em7GVTHXt9y8n9AnN2GO4IQLXBXGvcEmdqEm657EJhJZuXLVdobiiUHgnNfaFJ8LHOVJBLVG4gDBJ_1WxXjeGZxCpW-dBd52w-_8xEtFu3Ke61PM6BI59NCXI0YQZa3itqub_Ba6u4-U7M/s320/JasmineLu-image_web.jpg" width="248" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Working with <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2021/12/island-fox-microbiome-at-smithsonian.html" target="_blank">Dr. Alexandra DeCandia</a>,</b> Lu investigated the connections between bacteria communities and ear mite infection to understand why island foxes on Catalina became so vulnerable to cancerous tumors in their ear canals.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When there's biodiversity in an island fox's microbiome, good bacteria can work together to keep harmful bacteria in check. When there is a lack of diversity, opportunistic pathogens, like <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i> can become the dominant bacteria in a fox's ear. In combination, ear mite infestation and <i>S.</i> <i>pseudintermedius</i> promote chronic inflammation. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2020/04/mites-microbes-and-cancer-in-santa.html" target="_blank">More on bacterial imbalance in island fox ear canal</a></b></span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0IKFV-WGnXffeR7NV3sheOV_ZJ-oHIUTfkvYgbEDdnFMZ9HoZsLnLdlnr2SIozVC79i9O8z053WECqHwYUeJHDKEgsfl0UQGQwPx_7geBCp8Q6eSJHpU7Gq7GqzhqgcA27v83e3Wz3OCT4MDx17FswDdTJhTK5R4lvxlQBefPppd4wJWrCA/s600/earcheckcroppedweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="482" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0IKFV-WGnXffeR7NV3sheOV_ZJ-oHIUTfkvYgbEDdnFMZ9HoZsLnLdlnr2SIozVC79i9O8z053WECqHwYUeJHDKEgsfl0UQGQwPx_7geBCp8Q6eSJHpU7Gq7GqzhqgcA27v83e3Wz3OCT4MDx17FswDdTJhTK5R4lvxlQBefPppd4wJWrCA/s320/earcheckcroppedweb.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Compounding the probability for serious disease, two strains of <i>Staph</i> bacteria appeared to cooperate in forming a "multistrain biofilm." As the bacterial community deteriorated, other carcinogenesis-promoting microbes rose in prevalence and assumed a keystone role in the microbiome. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A video of Jasmine Lu discussing her work on "Date with a Fox" will be available soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vX5gShJEq9yaljpTUmnX8XQ2ymoVJie2/view?usp=share_link" target="_blank">Read the scientific paper </a></b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Why does the occurrence of ear mites in Catalina Island foxes initiate this bacterial imbalance? Other island foxes encounter ear mites, but a similar imbalance does not occur. </span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraa5mJr_ku_5e_ICDoL87HxBSYKRNE8u1qwH_ByBv0pxQIYuVwNOFpF5upMirQZY0o5Rs66g3J0MjmktfQH17CnA2RnTzazd2hILphPc5cEqeT5DOG8qFTRrVU7Qtlti5xcIRdkCbbszmQeYJatS9kK1hnXS_0EdbRgIx-YkAGdAGAi9N9mU/s1080/Swab-Sample-CIC2021-Watlingweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1080" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraa5mJr_ku_5e_ICDoL87HxBSYKRNE8u1qwH_ByBv0pxQIYuVwNOFpF5upMirQZY0o5Rs66g3J0MjmktfQH17CnA2RnTzazd2hILphPc5cEqeT5DOG8qFTRrVU7Qtlti5xcIRdkCbbszmQeYJatS9kK1hnXS_0EdbRgIx-YkAGdAGAi9N9mU/s320/Swab-Sample-CIC2021-Watlingweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Those smudgy swabs collected from island fox ears during health checks continue to provide data to compare microbiomes between island foxes. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Your donations helped to fund this important research for island foxes and the furtherance of scientific understanding of the </span><span style="font-size: large;">potential </span><span style="font-size: large;">role of bacteria in some cancers.</span></b><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16427279.post-82940130447364934972023-02-17T19:22:00.001-08:002023-02-17T19:22:31.038-08:00Fresno Chaffee Zoo Helps Island Foxes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw1Y-qFBPLw_EirfGjmL8Oqni3A_Lr8nLI_YZ8kLWnx__9SjHmmbLFHHtKYz9x-yVqC2WaFt85qXl5Tukmtv2GryYe66-nrxh4gR5yYCCeCzxmCAWX54fdWSsMdJnmLwihLfQtrRQxuMjH3P6w9rYVYpp1NuYBsRWs6eH7hyH568LRceUGls/s720/Fox%20Watermark-8MSerrailcrp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="720" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw1Y-qFBPLw_EirfGjmL8Oqni3A_Lr8nLI_YZ8kLWnx__9SjHmmbLFHHtKYz9x-yVqC2WaFt85qXl5Tukmtv2GryYe66-nrxh4gR5yYCCeCzxmCAWX54fdWSsMdJnmLwihLfQtrRQxuMjH3P6w9rYVYpp1NuYBsRWs6eH7hyH568LRceUGls/w358-h255/Fox%20Watermark-8MSerrailcrp.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What are those island foxes whispering?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They are spreading the word that the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Wildlife Conservation Fund has provided island foxes with a special end of the year 2022 grant.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">$2,400 will help fund Canine Distemper Virus and </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rabies vaccinations</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloDpwD5CaRZ6MWxNG_CbM95cYMjlImfTKLYp3rgxb1mUSV8CwHElys7-CHPe_OqwZIsIri1CHvxRrCknJLLGmfxuZd-OaK3CiJozm-Uc5JtPQ5oDx1Gnl7cwhOGoPDvJiprwNrpsaydwrj92mW75m3vDGQnNswioCuurtyxzGQRh7zbYCnKI/s720/IfoxvaccinateCICweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="491" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloDpwD5CaRZ6MWxNG_CbM95cYMjlImfTKLYp3rgxb1mUSV8CwHElys7-CHPe_OqwZIsIri1CHvxRrCknJLLGmfxuZd-OaK3CiJozm-Uc5JtPQ5oDx1Gnl7cwhOGoPDvJiprwNrpsaydwrj92mW75m3vDGQnNswioCuurtyxzGQRh7zbYCnKI/s320/IfoxvaccinateCICweb.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Canine distemper virus is typically fatal to island foxes. To protect them, a minimum number of 100 island foxes are vaccinated each year on each island.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Because the vaccine that is safe for island foxes only provides protection for 10–11 months, island foxes need to be vaccinated every year.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Vaccination takes place during <a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/10/radio-collars-going-on-island-foxes.html" target="_blank"><b>annual health checks</b></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Catalina Island has an increased threat of CDV for island foxes. Approximately, 350 island foxes are vaccinated each year on Catalina. <b><a href="http://www1.islandfox.org/2022/06/friends-of-island-fox-vaccinates-island.html" target="_blank">FIF funds Catalina shots 2022</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This year FIF has the goal to provide vaccine for: </span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">350 Catalina Island foxes</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">100 foxes on Santa Cruz</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">100 foxes on Santa Rosa</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">100 foxes on San Miguel</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: large;">With support from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Riverbanks Zoo, and private donors like you, we'll vaccinate 650 island foxes in 2023.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We only need to raise another $2,000 to protect 650 island foxes</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj3b6jgVTgHyctOyt9Nk0yH2zDcYEmqoNnaADXkmCy4fPEQQne_bskNTCsDAedSvQ3RokIRzuoG9hNAy46u2ppQej58mbA88eopB8Gc-_rKd9ASjfyRR67Do5i7cC-rQYnOdkRe0aoXX94FT60hZ1zEfyYmMc6zZCGtKFg4CvF-j-vZdJ3Xc/s747/Tachismall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="747" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj3b6jgVTgHyctOyt9Nk0yH2zDcYEmqoNnaADXkmCy4fPEQQne_bskNTCsDAedSvQ3RokIRzuoG9hNAy46u2ppQej58mbA88eopB8Gc-_rKd9ASjfyRR67Do5i7cC-rQYnOdkRe0aoXX94FT60hZ1zEfyYmMc6zZCGtKFg4CvF-j-vZdJ3Xc/s320/Tachismall.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /> </b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Friends of the Island Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07310282395490080739noreply@blogger.com