Found only in Washington, the elusive carnivore is on the state’s radar thanks to the work of wildlife biologist Jocelyn Akins
Photo: Gretchen Kay Stuart/Cascades Carnivore Project
By Chuck Thompson, July 7, 2022. The Cascade red fox is in the news this week.
As The Seattle Times reported on Tuesday, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering listing the rare fox as a threatened or endangered subspecies.
“The Cascade red fox is among 70 or so Washington species, including birds, fish and insects, currently under consideration for endangered, threatened or sensitive status,” reported the Times.
WDFW commissioners will review the Cascade red fox’s status in September. The decision follows a February draft report issued by WDFW that recommended listing Cascade red foxes as threatened.
“Threats to the species could include climate change decreasing their habitat, visitors feeding the foxes in national parks or an invasion of other non-native red foxes into their region,” the report said.
The report was co-authored by wildlife biologist and Cascades Carnivore Project Founder Jocelyn Akins. Akins is also renowned for her wolverine research.
MORE: Wolverines break through … finally!
So, what exactly is a Cascade red fox and why is it important?
In an October 2020 webinar, Columbia Insight asked those questions to Akins and got fascinating answers—and amazing photos.
This week’s news makes it a good time to revisit Akins’ presentation in the condensed video above.
Chuck Thompson is editor of Columbia Insight.
