Local Legends
Island foxes are found on six of the eight Channel Islands – and nowhere else on Earth. On a clear day, four of the Channel Islands are visible from the Zoo’s hilltop.
Each island has its own genetically distinct fox subspecies, as they evolved independently. The number of the foxes’ tail vertebrae, or ear and leg size, for example, varies from island to island.
No foxes live on Anacapa Island, as it has no reliable source of fresh water, or Santa Barbara Island, which is too small to support a population.
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Clark
- Can be identified by a small dark spot on his lip, right under his nose
- Is leaner of the two
- More cautious, reacts to people and noises
- Is more independent
Lewis
- Was orphaned at three months old, found with brother Clark on San Clemente Island in 2016
- Is more fluffy than Clark
- More outgoing and playful of the two, is less skittish than his brother
- Stays close to Clark, is less independent
- Can often be found snuggling with Clark in the hammock at the upper end of their hillside enclosure
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Back from the Brink
Fans of island foxes rejoiced in August 2016 when subspecies on three of the islands were removed from the roster of federally endangered species.
In just 12 years, conservation efforts successfully responded to a nearly 90% decline of the wee canid, making it the fasted de-listing ever of any mammal on the list.
Why had the foxes disappeared so quickly? It was a chain reaction:
- Use of pesticide DDT wiped out the islands’ resident bald eagles in the early 1990s
- Bald eagles don’t prey on foxes but golden eagles do
- Golden eagles moved in and were eating island foxes into near extinction
Canine distemper and a viral disease that swept through the population were also factors. Regardless, at one time only 15 foxes remained on Santa Rosa Island, for example.
Captive fox breeding, golden eagle removal, and bald eagle reintroduction all helped bring up the numbers to early pre-crash levels.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is proud to have provided veterinary and animal care staff support to this effort, and of our continuing work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Park Service to monitor and study island foxes.
Conservation Status
Thanks to recovery efforts, the IUCN Red List now places them at “Near Threatened,” as opposed to the “Critically Endangered” status of the recent past.
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Species Survival Plans
The Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the 220+ accredited zoos and aquariums that participate in Species Survival Plans (SSP), a cooperatively managed program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). More than 200 different species are managed through SSPs, aimed at maintaining genetic diversity within AZA populations, sustaining these populations, and guarding against extinction.
Wildlife Experiences
Meet the Animals
Have you always wanted to get just a little bit closer to the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo? Well, you can! Take a look at our animal encounters, and choose the best option for you and/or your family.