Sierra Nevada Red Fox Population Survey Uses Detection Dogs in Lassen Volcanic Park

CDFW-funded Sierra Nevada red fox surveys concluded recently in Lassen Volcanic National Park and the nearby Caribou Wilderness. Specially trained scat detection dogs and their human handlers from Rogue Detection Teams spent 10 days collecting a variety of carnivore scat with the goal of helping CDFW estimate the number of individual Sierra Nevada red foxes, one of the rarest mammals in North America, that may be occupying the high elevations near Lassen Peak. The teams collected 240 carnivore scat samples from various species, but estimate that 85 collections originated with Sierra Nevada Red fox. The scat is being transferred to UC Davis for genetic analysis to determine how many individual foxes may be present and how closely they are related to each other. The detection dog survey will take place again next summer to refine estimates of population size and to help determine whether other Sierra Nevada red foxes need to be introduced to the population to improve genetic diversity.