 |
|
The TESF’s Swift Fox Restoration Project was begun in 1999 based on guidelines set forth by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).We started with a 2-year feasibility assessment of the Bad River Ranches and surrounding lands with the goal being to evaluate the landscape’s potential to once again support swift foxes. While much has changed in the 200 years since Lewis & Clark first traveled through what was to become South Dakota, large intact tracts of native prairie still exist, leading us to believe that the area may still support a population of this diminutive canid. The feasibility study (Phase I) looked at parameters such as landscape characteristics, prey abundance, and predator abundance. We compared our results with similar data gathered in areas with existing swift fox populations and concluded that the restoration area would likely support a self-sustaining population of foxes.
We began Phase II in September 2002 with the release of 20 foxes and will continue releasing foxes over the next 5 years. All released foxes will be fitted with radio collars, allowing biologists to track and monitor their survival, causes of mortality, dispersal from release sites, and subsequent reproduction. Because our intent is to learn what we can regarding the best and most efficient way to restore a swift fox population, we intend to evaluate the efficacy of release methods. Our reintroduction plan calls for using both hard and soft releases as a way to test any differences in survival and dispersal between the two methods.
The effort to restore swift foxes is a cooperative one. TESF is currently working with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Badlands National Park, Fort Pierre National Grassland, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bramble Park Zoo, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, South Dakota Animal Industry Board, South Dakota agriculture producer groups, and more than 50 additional private landowners to ensure the long-term success of our efforts. We firmly believe that many minds wrapped around a common problem will eventually lead to a successful solution.
TESF is dedicated to conserving biodiversity by ensuring the long-term survival of native species and their habitats. Conservation of grasslands, conservation of carnivores, and conservation of species with historical ranges on properties owned by R.E. Turner are three focus areas of the Fund’s efforts. We see reintroducing swift foxes as an important opportunity to restore native wildlife to the Northern Great Plains. As a non-governmental organization working on private land, we respect and appreciate landowner rights. We believe the public will find our projects are well thought out, based on sound scientific principles, and respectful of our neighbors. Please feel free to contact us with questions or comments regarding our work.
|
