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Wednesday, May 10, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Sierra Nevada red fox captured, radio-collared in Oregon
SALEM — A Sierra
Nevada red fox (SNRF) was
captured and radio-collared in
Deschutes County this week,
a first for Oregon wildlife
biologists researching this
rare sub-species of red fox.
The Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife and Tim
Hiller of the Wildlife Ecology
Institute have continued a
SNRF study that began in
2012 and are now in the phase
to capture and radio-collar the
foxes in the Oregon Cascades.
The original study confirmed
SNRF presence in the Oregon
Cascades and was partially
responsible for the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s deci-
sion not to list the species in
Oregon.
Project leaders Hiller and
ODFW wildlife technician
Jack Vaughn hope to capture
and radio-collar nine more
SNRF by the end of June
2018. Capture activities will
continue for the next few
weeks, and resume again later
this fall when success rates
are higher than other seasons.
“We use specialized cage
traps originally designed for
bobcats. It’s a challenge using
these during winter, espe-
cially this year with the heavy
snowfall, so we were very
happy to capture this SNRF
female,” Vaughn said.
The collars will be active
for one year, and Vaughn
will monitor them from the
ground.
SNRF is an Oregon
Conservation Strategy
Species. Strategy Species
include those with small,
declining, or unknown popu-
lation levels that could be at
risk and may be in need of
conservation.
Within the Strategy,
ODFW identified data gaps
associated with this rare mon-
tane (mountain) fox, includ-
ing assessing population
dynamics, collecting genetic
information, understand-
ing seasonal habitat use, and
evaluating competition from
coyotes. The current study
aims to fill some of those data
gaps.
“Information collected
from SNRF in Oregon has
never before occurred, and
will not only benefit conser-
vation and management in
Oregon, but could also be crit-
ical for efforts in California,”
stated Hiller. “Radio-collared
foxes could give us informa-
tion on habitat use, denning
activities, foraging behavior,
seasonal elevational changes
and sources of mortality.”
Hiller said six SNRF have
been captured in past and
present studies in California.
SNRF is found only in
high-elevation meadows
and forests of the Oregon
Cascades south into northern
California, and in the Sierra
Nevada of California. The
latter population is believed
to have less than 50 indi-
viduals in total, whereas the
Oregon Cascades may hold
more foxes, but probably in
fragmented areas. In fact,
Hiller said past and ongoing
research in Oregon suggests
that SNRF, while still rare,
may be more widespread than
originally thought.
The individual captured in
Deschutes County early this
week was an adult female
and the cross-color phase (see
photo). Other color phases
include silver (black) and the
more familiar red. SNRF gen-
erally are smaller than other
red foxes and average about
eight pounds.
Field research on SNRF
in Oregon was first initiated
during 2012 by ODFW with
assistance from U.S. Forest
Service, and included camera
surveys and hair and scat col-
lection for genetic analyses.
This study, which continues
to collect information on
SNRF, confirmed their pres-
ence in the Oregon Cascades,
specifically in the Mt.
Jefferson, Mt. Washington,
and Three Sisters Wilderness
Areas. Genetic samples are
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PHOTO BY TIM HILLER
This female Sierra Nevada red fox in the cross-color phase was captured
and radio-collared in Deschutes County.
sent to UC Davis for analysis.
Additional research findings
from this phase of the project
will be coming out in the near
future.
Funding for this proj-
ect comes from ODFW, the
Pittman-Robertson Act and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
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Contractors continue construction of the
roundabout at the intersection of US 20
and Barclay Drive/McKinney Butte Road.
In order to complete the
McKinney Butte side of the
roundabout, McKinney Butte
Road will be closed through
Memorial Day, beginning
the end of April.
The majority of work will occur Monday
through Saturday during daytime hours.
Traffi c on US 20 will remain open, and
work will not provide signifi cant delays for
traffi c except for the detour of McKinney
Butte Road. Travelers trying to access
McKinney Butte should follow signed
detour routes using Hood Avenue.
Additional information about closures and
detours will be posted when applicable.