A Plan for the reintroduction of swift fox to the Canadian Prairie

Date
1983
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Abstract
The swift fox (Vulpes velox) has been extirpated from Canada, largely as a result of trapping and poisoning during the late 18OO's and early 19OO's. Swift fox numbers were also reduced in the United States, but remnant populations have begun to expand and reoccupy portions of their former range. Studies of swift fox taxonomy, biology, ecology and population status are currently underway. Swift fox reintroduction is being attempted in Canada because many areas of suitable habitat still exist where the swift fox could be protected from trapping and poisoning, and because foxes from the United States have been available for captive breeding and holding before reintroduction. The reintroduction project was initiated in 1977 by Stephen Herrero of the University of Calgary, (Calgary, Alberta). Foxes for release are being supplied by the Wildlife Reserve of Western Canada, and most funding comes from the Canadian Wildlife Service. The ultimate goal of the project is the establishment of three or four independent, successfully reproducing and free ranging populations of swift fox on the Canadian prairie. A feasibility study has been completed and preparations are underway for a trial release of swift fox. The future of the project will depend in part upon the results of the trial release. Some of the preparations have been completed, including: Ensuring an adequate captive breeding population; choosing and preparing a release site; and transporting and maintaining foxes on the release site. Methods were proposed for the remaining activities of the trial release, which include: Ensuring public knowledge of the release; release strategy; preparation, release and monitoring of the foxes; and evaluation of the trial release. Based on experience gained through the trial release, recommendations are made for future releases, and a generalized reintroduction guide was formulated for use by those continuing with the swift fox project and those interested in the reintroduction of other animal species .
Description
Bibliography: p. 102-112.
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Citation
Reynolds, J. (1983). A Plan for the reintroduction of swift fox to the Canadian Prairie (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/13484