Sierra Nevada red fox fitted with a GPS collar

Biologists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured and released a Sierra Nevada red fox near Mammoth Lakes in January after fitting it with a GPS collar, the department said. Fewer than 50 individuals are believed to remain in the Sierra Nevada population.

Biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured a Sierra Nevada red fox near Mammoth Lakes in January and fitted it with a GPS collar before releasing it back into the high-elevation terrain. The species is one of the nation's rarest mammals and is considered endangered in the Sierra Nevada. The fox's presence in the Sierra was only confirmed in 2010 after a motion camera photo, and researchers have relied on remote cameras, scat surveys and intensive trapping to study the population. Tracking with a collar follows previous GPS work in the Cascade Range, where collars helped locate dens and study reproduction. Key details: - The collared animal was captured and released near Mammoth Lakes, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. - Fewer than 50 Sierra Nevada red foxes are believed to remain in the Sierra Nevada population. - The GPS collar will record movement and behavior data to inform researchers about seasonal movements and reproductive patterns. - The Sierra Nevada red fox is a distinct lineage adapted to high elevations, with a thick winter coat and furry feet suited to deep snow. - Around 20 related foxes live in the Cascade Range of Northern California, and sightings have occurred in alpine areas of Oregon. Summary: Researchers say the collar will provide location and behavioral data that can inform conservation strategies and study reproductive behavior. The specific monitoring timeline and detailed research plans are undetermined at this time.