Cascade foxes in Mt. Rainier National Park

Fox Research

Mount Rainier National Park has just begun a research project to assess
visitor impacts on Cascade foxes (Vulpes vulpes cascadensis). The Cascade
fox is a rare species currently known to inhabit only Mount Rainier and
Mount Adams.  Many of Mount Rainier’s Cascade foxes have learned to get
food from people, “begging” on roadways in the Paradise area, increasing
the risk to both foxes and humans.  The research will evaluate the
ecological impacts on these foxes as a result of human activities, and will
enable park managers to better manage visitor use and protect the foxes.
The study is a cooperative effort between Mount Rainier and the
USGS-Forestry and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center.

Visitors may see radio collars on some foxes.  These radio collars
automatically collect time and location information via GPS receivers,
similar to what is used in a car or on the trails.  Programmed to record
time and location at 3.5 hour intervals, the collars will provide a wealth
of information of how visitor use may alter the natural movements and
habits of foxes.

Mount Rainier has had a persistent problem with people continually feeding
the foxes, and this project is designed to better evaluate the behavioral
responses of the foxes to this illegal and damaging practice.  The
substantial ongoing efforts to educate the public and enforce no-feeding
laws will continue.   Results of this study will lead researchers to better
understand human impacts and develop new ways of protecting the foxes and
keeping our wildlife wild.

For more information, contact Mason Reid, Wildlife Ecologist at Mount
Rainier National Park, at 360-569-6771.