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Photo by L. Carbyn
Restoring swift fox is part of
restoring native biodiversity to
North America's Great Plains.
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In July 1999, the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF) began a study to help determine whether swift foxes could survive on the Bad River Ranches (BRR) and surrounding lands. This work of restoration is a cooperative effort among local citizens, landowners, community groups, universities, and state, federal, and tribal agencies. We value the input we have received so far from our friends and neighbors and we know that without their involvement, even the best-laid plans can fail. Cooperators so far include the TESF, Bad River Ranches, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Fort Pierre National Grasslands, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bramble Park Zoo. Badlands National Park is also looking at the potential for restoring swift foxes on Parklands.
The Bad River Ranches, owned by media executive R. E. Turner, consist of approximately 138,000 acres along the Bad River in western South Dakota. The ranch is home to a growing population of bison in addition to many native wildlife species. We hope that a restored population of foxes on and around the Bad River Ranches will eventually serve as a source population for fox recovery in other parts of South Dakota, assist in removing foxes from a threatened status in South Dakota, and promote public awareness of grassland conservation efforts.
This comprehensive and systematic study focused on assessing the quality and quantity of available habitat in the restoration area, which includes lands administered by the Ft. Pierre National Grasslands and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, in addition to lands managed by the Bad River Ranches. We evaluated three key areas:
· Habitat (i.e. landscape characteristics and land use patterns)
· Prey availability (i.e. small mammals, insects, birds, and rabbits)
· Predator populations (i.e. coyote, red fox, and bobcat)
Based on this study, we believe the Bad River Ranches and recovery area is capable of supporting a healthy population well over the 200 foxes needed to maintain long-term genetic diversity. A large and widespread population reduces the likelihood of genetic inbreeding and being killed off by natural disasters such as severe winters or disease. Such a widespread population may also prevent any future listing of the swift fox under the federal Endangered Species Act.
A report of our study submitted to the Swift Fox Conservation Team was well received and has been endorsed as a study-design for interested organizations considering future swift fox restoration projects. Similarly, the Team has also accepted and endorsed our reintroduction plan detailing release strategy. We plan on continuing these original surveys throughout the life of the 6-year project. We want to learn as much as possible about the biological needs of swift fox and the effects of restoration on other wildlife. This long-term research will allow us to collect the information vital to the conservation of the species and grasslands.
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