Catalina Island is home to one of North America’s rarest mammals: the Catalina Island fox. This small, charismatic creature is a subspecies of the island fox, unique to Catalina, and plays an essential role in the island’s ecosystem.

From a biodiversity perspective, the foxes are vital to seed dispersal. “Some seeds need to pass through an animal’s digestive tract before they germinate, and island foxes play a critical role in this process,” says Katie Elder, wildlife biologist for the Catalina Island Conservancy.

The foxes also eat several insects and small mammals, and they’re an essential umbrella species, meaning they protect a wide range of other species within the same habitat. “They’re cute, and people love them, as they should, and care about conserving them, so by protecting them and enhancing their habitat, we are enhancing habitat for the entire ecosystem, including other wildlife.” shared Elder.

Like other island species, Catalina Island foxes have evolved in isolation, developing unique traits and adapting to the distinct environments of Catalina. However, this isolation also makes them vulnerable to various threats like disease, human activity and habitat loss.

Foxes are federally listed as threatened. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, their population nearly went extinct due to a canine distemper outbreak caused by a raccoon that stowed away on a boat. This is why the Catalina Island Conservancy’s annual fox monitoring program was created.

Each year, the Conservancy monitors the fox population, administers vaccines, deploys radio collars, conducts health assessments and collects data for researchers. Conservancy scientists also monitor ear mite infestations introduced by cats, which cause ear tumors in foxes, and administer medicine to their ears to prevent and treat the mite infections.

Throughout the year, Conservancy staff respond to and report all fox deaths and injuries to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Injured foxes are taken to a veterinarian on the island. Island-wide telemetry is conducted weekly to monitor radio-collared foxes and keep them looking for new or emerging dangers that could negatively impact the fox population. These efforts are part of a proactive approach to protecting the fox population.

Elder states that the fox population has remained relatively stable in recent years, despite challenges such as dog attacks, rodent poison and vehicle collisions. In 2024, two foxes were exposed to rodent poison and 17 were killed by speeding vehicles, primarily in the Avalon area. To address these threats, the Conservancy is launching an awareness campaign titled “Slow Down for Fox Sake,” aimed at encouraging drivers to watch for and protect the island’s small inhabitants.

Public outreach initiatives educate the community on ways to safeguard foxes, including the importance of reporting injured or deceased animals through the Conservancy’s fox hotline. Additionally, the Conservancy collaborates with a fox working group—a coalition coordinating conservation efforts across all the Channel Islands—to ensure the long-term survival of these iconic creatures

 

To report an injured or deceased fox on Catalina Island, call or text the Catalina Island Conservancy at 310-606-9424 immediately. Please provide the following details:

• Your name and contact information
• The fox’s location
• Any details about the situation, including photos if possible