BLM CA Carrizo Kit Fox Conservation Demographic and Ecological Attributes Study

With this project, BLM CA Bakersfield seeks to collaborate with a partner to collect demographic and ecological attributes of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes within the Carrizo Plain National Monument -CPNM. BLM CA Bakersfield proposes to quantify these attributes in the CPNM by 1. analyzing the use of food items by San Joaquin kit foxes in three areas of the CPNM and exploitation competition from sympatric coyotes to identify key resources for San Joaquin kit foxes;2. assessing presence and use intensity patterns of San Joaquin kit foxes, coyotes and other potential competitors across the project area 3. conducting transect surveys to determine prey availability and 4. live-trapping and radio-collaring San Joaquin kit foxes to examine survival rates, causes of mortality, reproductive rates, litter sizes, home range size, and den use patterns. Data obtained from this project would help land managers further understand demographic patterns and ecological dependencies of the San Joaquin kit fox population within the CPNM and make informed comparisons with San Joaquin kit fox populations outside of the CPNM.