Sierra Nevada Red Fox Spotted for First Time in Nearly 100 Years at Yosemite

For the first time since World War I was ongoing, a rare Sierra Nevada red fox was spotted in Yosemite National Park. The video above shows the fox making tracks through the snow-covered mountains early this past December.

The National Park Service said in a press release that two documented sightings have occurred in park since early December, one on Dec. 13, and another on Jan 4. These marks the first confirmed sightings of the rare fox in the park in nearly 100 years.

Fewer than 50 Sierra Nevada red foxes are thought to be in existence, according to the National Park Service. This makes it one of the rarest mammals in North America.

Remote cameras are being used to detect the animal. To access what the cameras captured, the widlife biologists at the park had to go on a backcountry trip that took five days to complete.

Validating the existence of the fox in Yosemite’s boundaries was thrilling news for biologists.

“Confirmation of the Sierra Nevada red fox in Yosemite National Park’s vast alpine wilderness provides an opportunity to join research partners in helping to protect this imperiled animal,” said Sarah Stock, wildlife biologist in Yosemite National Park. “We’re excited to work across our boundary to join efforts with other researchers that will ultimately give these foxes the best chances for recovery.”

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