Sierra Nevada Red Fox Not Warranted for Listing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced last week that the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), a subspecies of red fox, is not warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS came to this conclusion after discovering the subspecies was more widespread than originally thought. This discovery was made in part through research conducted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. Also included in the announcement was news that a Sierra Nevada red fox population located north of Yosemite National Park has been deemed a distinct population segment and warranted of ESA protections. Due to higher priority ESA actions, this distinct population segment has not been proposed for ESA listing, but has instead been placed on the candidate species list where it awaits further review.

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