Channel Island Fox

Channel Island Fox Reintroduction Project
In the last 15 years non-native predators, introduced diseases, and other anthropogenic factors have decreased island fox (Urocyon littoralis) populations on the California’s Channel Islands.  The zoo is working with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Coordination Group, and zoo staff Chair the Genetics Technical Expertise Group.

As part of recovery efforts, zoo staff work to develop annual breeding recommendations for captive breeding facilities. They also use genetic and demographic analyses to choose candidates for reintroduction from the captive facilities back to the wild and to plan long-term captive management and reintroduction strategies.