Wildlife Ecology Institute

Gray foxes are a valuable and understudied furbearer across its entire range. Several indices suggest range contractions in indiana, but also other midwest states. The factor(s) causing these distributional changes is unknown, but may be linked to habitat loss and fragmentation, changing mesocarnivore (e.g., coyote) community structure, disease, and other factors, and likely is a complex relationship among these factors. We are assessing gray fox populations at two study sites in indiana through a 4-year comprehensive study designed to directly assess causes of population changes of gray foxes, and to provide recommendations for management of this species that can be applied in indiana, but also other midwest states.

The kit fox is a canid species that is sensitive to effects of perturbations in their semi-arid environment. The distribution of kit foxes at their northern periphery in oregon is poorly defined. During 2024, we initiated a targeted inventory via camera-based survey for kit foxes based on locations in unsurveyed areas to fill in knowledge gaps; use data collected from our proposed survey, and previous surveys and other data, to construct a species distribution map (i.e., habitat suitability) for kit foxes; and develop recommendations for wildlife and land management using a landscape-scale approach that includes multiple land uses, considers other wildlife species of conservation interest(e.g., greater sage-grouse, and potentially identifies conservation hotspots based on overlapping areas of conservation concern.

Black-footed ferrets were once thought to be extinct, but after discovering a single remnant population, a successful captive-breeding and reintroduction program was developed and implemented. However,despite the achievements of captive-breeding and reintroduction efforts, conservation of this rare mustelid currently faces substantial challenges. Our ongoing work includes collaborations with state, tribal, and federal agencies, and other ngos, to develop effective and efficient techniques for managing the substantial impacts of sylvatic plague on populations of ferrets and prairie dogs, to assess field techniques (traditional spotlighting, infrared cameras, scent-detection dogs) to improve monitoring of ferret populations, and other conservation effort for this federally endangered species.

Decisions related to management of furbearers encompass a complex array of management objectives across diverse taxa. These complex decisions often involve increased scrutiny and opposition through external and internal sources, causing threats to the integrity of furbearer management at the state, national, and international levels. Science-based management is critical for state agencies to make informed and defensible regulatory decisions; however, there currently is no comprehensive and contemporary science-based reference available to guide and improve furbearer management. The 1987 book, Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America (Novak et al. 1987), was a critical resource that filled that role for many years. However, this resource lacks critical accomplishments and advancements achieved through furbearer management during the past three decades. Our project will produce a comprehensive and contemporary science-based book to help proactively guide current and future efforts of furbearer management programs, including through education and training of wildlife professionals, hunters, and trappers; identification of current knowledge gaps and applied research needs to support management; promotion of sustainable furbearer harvest; and dissemination of accurate information.