CDFW Announces First Capture and GPS Collar of Sierra Nevada Red Fox in the Southern Sierra Nevada

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:05:46 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has reached a significant goal in conservation science by gaining the ability to study more closely the behavioral patterns of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) in the southern Sierra Nevada. The Department’s capacity to closely track the fox’s movements is a critical step toward understanding and protecting one of California’s rarest and most elusive native carnivores.

Due to their rarity, Sierra Nevada red foxes in California are protected as a Threatened Species under the California Endangered Species Act. The population in the Sierra Nevada has additional federal protection, considered an Endangered Species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The January capture, which occurred near Mammoth Lakes and was conducted by biologists from the CDFW Bishop Field Office, marks the first time the Department has captured, fitted with a GPS-tracking collar and released a Sierra Nevada red fox in the Sierra Nevada.

The foxes in the Sierra Nevada are isolated from their relatives in the Cascade Range, and the movements and behavior of this collared fox will offer scientists a rare opportunity to better understand the ecology and conservation needs of this remote group.

The Sierra Nevada population is estimated to be fewer than 50 individuals. The species is typically extremely wary of humans and inhabits barren, rugged terrain at high elevations. Cautious behavior, remote habitat and low-density populations make them extremely difficult to find and capture, making this a noteworthy event.

“This represents the culmination of 10 years of remote camera and scat surveys to determine the range of the fox in the southern Sierra, and three years of intensive trapping efforts,” said CDFW Environmental Scientist Julia Lawson. “Everyone on the team was thrilled to see our hard work pay off. Our goal is to use what we learn from this collared animal to work toward recovering the population in the long term.”

Location data from the GPS collar and biological samples obtained during the capture of this animal are important management and research tools to help increase CDFW’s understanding of the species, directly support its protection and aid in increasing the efficiency of future capture and survey efforts.

In 2018, a team of scientists led by CDFW Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Carlson attached GPS satellite collars to several Sierra Nevada red foxes in the Lassen Peak region of northern California. That effort helped biologists subsequently locate several dens, leading to a much better understanding of the patterns of reproduction, movement and habitat use in this little-studied species.

Although red foxes are common and widespread throughout North America and Eurasia, the Sierra Nevada red fox is a distinct lineage found only in the high elevation regions of California and Oregon. According to historical accounts, these alpine red foxes have always been exceedingly rare and elusive.

The factors causing the population decline of Sierra Nevada red fox are not fully known, but unregulated hunting and trapping in the early 20th century likely played a major role, and low genetic diversity has continued to weaken the subspecies over time. The population in California’s Sierra Nevada was thought to have disappeared, until an automatic trail camera detected one near Sonora Pass in 2010. Since then, researchers have documented Sierra Nevada red foxes as far south as Cottonwood Pass, west of Lone Pine.

Conservation of the rare Sierra Nevada red fox reflects California’s commitment to biodiversity and the 30x30 Initiative, which seeks to conserve 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030. Protecting rare species and their habitats strengthens ecosystems, ensuring healthy wildlife populations that support sustainable outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Science-driven efforts, such as GPS tracking and habitat conservation, help maintain balanced ecosystems where game species and other wildlife can thrive, for the benefit of all Californians.

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Capture and Collar Efforts Underway for Wolves, Elk and Deer in Northeastern California

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:05:55 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) this week initiated efforts to capture wolves, elk and deer by helicopter in northeastern California and outfit the animals with GPS collars. The capturing and collaring will continue through the end of the month as weather allows.

CDFW has contracted with Leading Edge Aviation to conduct the helicopter captures in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Siskiyou counties. CDFW environmental scientists and veterinary staff will provide direction and support on the ground. It is the first time CDFW has used helicopters to capture and collar gray wolves.

Capture teams will target wolves in the Whaleback Pack in Siskiyou County and the Lassen Pack, which roams portions of Lassen and Plumas counties. Neither pack has wolves with functioning GPS collars. The collars can transmit data to CDFW scientists twice a day for up to two years and provide detailed information about movements, habitat preferences and location. In the case of wolves, the collars provide information that CDFW can share with cattle and sheep ranchers about nearby wolf activity to help reduce conflicts though the collars are not reliable sources for real-time data.

Recent attempts to capture and collar California wolves from the ground have been unsuccessful. Helicopter captures are an added effort while ongoing ground captures will be adapted to increase success. Other Western states, including Oregon and Washington, routinely use helicopters to capture and monitor their wolf populations.

Captured and collared mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk will enhance CDFW’s knowledge of distribution, abundance, migration patterns, recruitment, survival and habitat use.

The captures will take place on lands managed by the USDA Forest Service as well as on private properties with permission from landowners. CDFW is grateful to the USDA Forest Service, timberland owners and other private landowners that are providing access to their lands for the capture.

CDFW photo of a gray wolf in northeastern California, part of the Lassen Pack.

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Media Contacts:
Jeffrey Stoddard, CDFW Northern Region, (530) 768-7146
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW News

CDFW Announces First Capture and GPS Collar of Sierra Nevada Red Fox in the Southern Sierra Nevada

Capture and Collar Efforts Underway for Wolves, Elk and Deer in Northeastern California