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Channel Islands
Island Fox "Urocycon littoralis"
Did you know there are "Northern Galapagos Islands" off the southern shores of California? Just like the Galapagos, the Channel Islands has incredible biodiversity found only there. There are so many nationally significant treasures in this area Congress made it a National Park in 1980. The park includes 5 islands and the ocean around them. There are actually 8 islands total. The islands include: Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa (East, West, & Middle). The main goal of the park is conservation and protecting the remarkable wildlife, marine life, ecological, archeological sites, scenic, cultural, and scientific values found there. Menu
To get to the islands scientists and visitors travel by boat or fly. Visiting islands is limited and needs advanced planning yet it is possible to travel to some areas most days of the year if the weather allows. We have provided links to more information on the parks.
What can people see or do on the islands? Perhaps they might just take a boat cruise and observe the whales, dolphins, and pinnipeds around an island. Visitors will see exciting and magical vies of the ocean meeting with rough islands with a remarkable variety of marine animals and wildlife on the islands. Menu
Not that long ago, island foxes were common on six of the eight Channel islands. Seeing a little fox hopping in the grass and coming up close like a curious squirrel was often the highlight of a trip. Now they are in danger of extinction on three of the islands. Saving these foxes has become a priority for the park.
We have never seen these foxes, yet we hope we can travel one day to these islands and see a fox. Even if this never happens, we want the island foxes to still be there. What can we do to help? Menu
Let us introduce you to these tiny, playful animals. You may become as enchanted as we are and decide you want to help as well. The island foxes are 12 to 13" high and up to 27 inches in length. They weigh no more than three to four pounds. They are no bigger than a cat yet are the largest natural mammals on the island. They have distinctive black and white markings. Each island has a slightly different subspecies of fox. We have included some links to other sites with images of the fox. Menu
Why are these cute little foxes in danger? First the mystery of why they were disappearing had to be investigated. At first biologists thought the changes might be normal and numbers would increase. This didn't happen even though litters of foxes were being born. What was happening?
They looked at many possible factors: disease, predators, and environment. Animals were trapped to take blood samples and scats were collected to look for parasites. Heartworm and some parasites were discovered but not enough to explain the mystery.
Foxes were at the top of the food chain or so they thought. They put collars to track on foxes and found of 29 foxes that 21 were killed by predators. In 1998, four of eight foxes died in a short time. At this point on some islands the foxes were so endangered that the remaining foxes were captured for protection. Golden eagles were suspected and a feather was found.
Golden eagles were not natural to the islands, bald eagles were. The bald eagles disappeared in the 60s due to the use of DDT. Bald eagles liked fish and carrion and DDT still remains in the ocean. They are starting to reintroduce bald eagles on one island. In the meantime, the golden eagles took over the territory. They like hunting the foxes and found them easy prey.
Plant life, or the lack of it, was also a problem. The islands were grazed by sheep, feral pigs are a problem, and many native plants were disappearing. This makes it hard for foxes to hide from predators. Menu
People are helping by replanting native species of plants. Not only are they trying to help the foxes, they are protecting the environment and plants from extinction that are found only here. Just like unwanted animals, unwanted plants are pests that have come to the islands and some plants try to take over. It is something for visitors to remember. If you visit the islands, carefully check your shoes, tent, sleeping bags, and gear to be sure you do not bring seeds to the Channel Islands.
People are trying to save these rare foxes. Park biologists started trapping golden eagles using rabbits and fetal piglets as bait. They removed the eagles and released them in northeast California with tracking devices. None of the eagles have returned. They are removing wild pigs and feral cats from the islands and planting more native species.
Their conservation plan includes:
- Rescuing foxes on San Miguel and Santa Rosa with a captive breeding program
- Capturing and relocating golden eagles
- Bringing back bald eagles
- Developing a plan to protect species.
It is a slow process that may take many years. Is there time? A few litters of foxes have been born, time will tell if they will run free again on all of these islands. Menu
What have we learned by doing this report? We care about the environment. We plan on raising money to help the foxes. Pesticides like DDT almost led to the extinction of bald eagles and other species. When we pollute the land, the water can take generations to heal. Introducing new plants and animals to island habitats can be harmful. People are not new to the islands, the Chumash inhabited them for thousands of years. Modern man needs to learn to protect these special places for the future.
Are you interested in helping?
Consider making a tax-free donation to the "Island Fox Fund"
Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
(805)658-5730
Channel Islands (An informational brochure by the Nation al Park Service).
Islands of Serenity (Brochure by National Park Service).
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Internet Links: - Liu , Sonia. Urocyon littoralis Channel Island Fox.
University of Michigan, updated May 2000. Urocyon
littoralis (Channel Island Fox): Narr...
Utah's Hogle Zoo. Channel Island Fox Urocyon littoralis
Channel Island Fox - Utah's Hogle Zoo
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
SHOW 303: The Channel Island Fox
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