Checking In on the Island Fox of the Channel Islands
Nature photographer and conservationist Ian Shive takes us to Channel Islands National Park where the US Fish and Wildlife Service are working hard to protect the endangered Santa Cruz Island Fox.
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Photo By: Ian Shive
Photo By: Ian Shive
Photo By: Ian Shive
While setting up the tent in the campground, I was contemplating with a friend whether or not we'd see any fox on this trip. Lo and behold, only feet away this little fox was watching us, his colors blending into the natural colors of the landscape. Island foxes prefer to adventure by themselves, rather than in packs...and apparently I was today's adventure.
The island fox is similar to its mainland cousin the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), but smaller. The native four-pound island fox is tinier than an average house cat.
The Santa Cruz Island fox was the island's top dog for thousands of years, free from predators, until non-native golden eagles began roaming the island looking for prey in the 1990's. This photo is of a relatively young fox who stayed close to his mother, napping in the nearby meadow.
At one point there were only a few island fox left, only 20 on some islands, but today they are back from the brink of extinction. The golden light of Channel Islands National Park opens up magical opportunities to capture images of this species, which is now regularly seen on the trails. This photo was taken near Cavern Point.