Proposal Abstract

Population Viability Analysis of Swift Fox (Vulpes velox)

in Badlands National Park

Indrani Sasmal

November 2009

The swift fox (Vulpes velox) was historically distributed in south-western South Dakota including the region surrounding Badlands National Park (BNP).  The species declined during the mid-1900s due to habitat fragmentation, non-target poisoning, and harvest.  A remnant population occurred on USDA Forest Service lands in Fall River County, South Dakota.   Following the successful reintroduction of the species in Canada (1983), a reintroduction program was initiated in BNP in the year 2003. Free-ranging swift fox from Colorado and Wyoming were translocated to BNP from 2003 to 2006.  Despite these releases and observations of free-ranging swift fox occurring throughout western South Dakota, it was not known if a viable population occurred in western South Dakota.  My study objectives are, (1) to determine the viability of the reintroduced swift fox population in BNP and surrounding area, (2) to determine whether there is any emigration or immigration taking place in between the BNP reintroduced population and the Fall River county relict population, and (3) to determine habitat selection of female swift fox during the pup-rearing period (May – August). Program VORTEX will be used to assess viability of the BNP population. An F_st value and level of heterozygosity in the two populations of BNP and Fall River County will be calculated using Program Genepop to determine rates of emigration and immigration of swift fox. Radio telemetry data collected using VHF collars fitted to female swift fox during pup-rearing season will be used for determining habitat selection.

References:

Sovada, M. A., and B. K. Scheick. 1999. Preliminary report to the swift fox conservation team: historic and recent distribution of swift foxes in North America.