A unique survey using specially trained scat detection dogs recently concluded in Lassen Volcanic National Park and the nearby Caribou Wilderness, as part of a California Department of Fish and Wildlife effort to monitor the Sierra Nevada red fox, one of North America’s rarest mammals.
Teams from Rogue Detection Teams spent ten days in the high-elevation areas near Lassen Peak, with their canine partners working to locate and collect scat (fecal samples) from various carnivore species. The primary goal of the survey is to estimate the population size and genetic diversity of the secretive Sierra Nevada red fox.
During the expedition, the teams collected a total of 240 carnivore scat samples. Of these, they estimate that 85 samples originated from the Sierra Nevada red fox.
The collected scat is being transferred to the University of California, Davis, for genetic analysis. Researchers there will use the DNA from the samples to identify individual foxes, determine the total number of individuals in the population, and assess how closely related they are to each other.
The genetic information is crucial for understanding the health of the Lassen Peak red fox population and will help CDFW determine if introducing new foxes to the area is necessary to improve genetic diversity.
CDFW plans to repeat the detection dog survey next summer to refine their population estimates and gather more data to inform future conservation efforts for this rare and elusive animal.
For more information about Rogue Detection Team’s survey at Lassen National Park you can watch this video from outdoor adventure photographer Randy Robbins.
