By Annie O’Brien
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Intro:
Slowly floating down the stream, Huck asks Jim what it's like to be a slave. After waiting a while to answer, Jim explains the pros and cons, eventually landing on the fact that it is a way for some people to use their power over others. Still curious, Huck pushes, asking how something could be so unfair. Finally coming to a conclusion, Jim sighs, admitting, "that is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don't know nothing about it." A theme in literature and wildlife alike, the human exploitation rates of materials has and continues to skyrocket. This over-usage has affected many species, including the lycalopes fulvipes, also known as Darwin's Fox.
Slowly floating down the stream, Huck asks Jim what it's like to be a slave. After waiting a while to answer, Jim explains the pros and cons, eventually landing on the fact that it is a way for some people to use their power over others. Still curious, Huck pushes, asking how something could be so unfair. Finally coming to a conclusion, Jim sighs, admitting, "that is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don't know nothing about it." A theme in literature and wildlife alike, the human exploitation rates of materials has and continues to skyrocket. This over-usage has affected many species, including the lycalopes fulvipes, also known as Darwin's Fox.
General Summary:
Discovered by Charles Darwin himself, Darwin's fox lives primarily in the Chiloé Island of Chile. These critters are endemic to Chile as well, and do best in dense forest habitats. Luckily, Darwin's foxes feed off of a wide variety of plants, mammals, and reptiles; so while the specificity required of their geographic location can get in the way of having a healthy population, the food they eat does not.
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Geographic and Population Changes:
Currently, there are six hundred and fifty nine mature foxes left. While this number may seem small, it is actually much larger than its population has been in recent years. In fact, in 2004 Darwin's Fox was listed as critically endangered, with less than 250 mature adults left. It wasn't until 2008 that the fox population had improved enough to be classified as endangered.
Listing:
Not too much has changed since 2008, and the Darwin's fox population remains listed as endangered, according to the IUCN Red List.
Major Threats:
With Chilean protected areas being commonly flooded with domestic dogs, these canines and the diseases they spread are considered the main threat to the Darwin's fox population. Upon an encounter between a fox and a dog, the dog will most likely attack and kill the fox. Because these domestic dogs often live in old growth forests, many foxes are forced to live elsewhere, creating spatial displacement.
Discovered by Charles Darwin himself, Darwin's fox lives primarily in the Chiloé Island of Chile. These critters are endemic to Chile as well, and do best in dense forest habitats. Luckily, Darwin's foxes feed off of a wide variety of plants, mammals, and reptiles; so while the specificity required of their geographic location can get in the way of having a healthy population, the food they eat does not.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/gttwl/attachments/jubileeonline.ca/1461791544.2966423.jpg
Geographic and Population Changes:
Currently, there are six hundred and fifty nine mature foxes left. While this number may seem small, it is actually much larger than its population has been in recent years. In fact, in 2004 Darwin's Fox was listed as critically endangered, with less than 250 mature adults left. It wasn't until 2008 that the fox population had improved enough to be classified as endangered.
Listing:
Not too much has changed since 2008, and the Darwin's fox population remains listed as endangered, according to the IUCN Red List.
Major Threats:
With Chilean protected areas being commonly flooded with domestic dogs, these canines and the diseases they spread are considered the main threat to the Darwin's fox population. Upon an encounter between a fox and a dog, the dog will most likely attack and kill the fox. Because these domestic dogs often live in old growth forests, many foxes are forced to live elsewhere, creating spatial displacement.
The Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is commonly found in domesticated dogs, caught most likely due to a lack of vaccination. There is no known cure, and the disease may cause seizures, paralysis, and eventually death. Through biting, CDV is passed on to foxes, and is also considered a major threat to its population.
CDV effects on canines
Recovery Plans:
In efforts of conservation, many National Parks or other conservation areas have created specific habitats in hopes of restoring the Darwin's fox population. A primary example is the Nahuelbuta National Park, located along the coastal mountains of Chile. These mountain ranges provide the perfect home to the old growth forests the foxes need. Similarly, more and more canines are receiving the vaccine against the CDV virus. Luckily, these critters eat a variety of foods, which has played a key role in their population's survival over the last few years. While the only known captive Darwin's foxes are located near Villarrica, a Chilean volcano, they have achieved successful reproduction rates for nearly two consecutive years.
Villarrica Volcano, Chile
How to Help:
Although a number of efforts have been made to improve the fox's population, there is still a lot to be done. Currently, known populations are being heavily monitored and studied, with new information regarding genetics, disease, occupancy, and habitat use vastly popular.
With the CDV virus such a major threat to the fox's population, I have started a petition in hopes of requiring the vaccination in all dogs at birth, once and for all. If you'd like to take action, please visit the link below to sign:
https://www.change.org/p/world-wildlife-fund-give-a-fox-about-it?recruiter=403494504&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Hopefully, with more efforts like these, Darwin's fox can see more examples of natural selection in its future.
With the CDV virus such a major threat to the fox's population, I have started a petition in hopes of requiring the vaccination in all dogs at birth, once and for all. If you'd like to take action, please visit the link below to sign:
https://www.change.org/p/world-wildlife-fund-give-a-fox-about-it?recruiter=403494504&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Hopefully, with more efforts like these, Darwin's fox can see more examples of natural selection in its future.
Sources:
"Lycalopex Fulvipes." The IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The IUCN, 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.
"Distemper in Dogs." PetMD. N.p., 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.
"Lycalopex Fulvipes." Encyclopedia of Life. EOL, 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.
O'Brien, Annie. "Give a Fox about It!" Change.org. N.p., 30 Nov. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital." Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. UC Davis, 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
O'Brien, Annie. "Give a Fox about It!" Change.org. N.p., 30 Nov. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital." Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. UC Davis, 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
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