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The reintroduction of the swift fox Vulpes velox to South Central Saskatchewan, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Clio Smeeton  and
Ken Weagle
Ken Weagle
Affiliation:
Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, PO Box 2130, Yellowknife, NT, Canada X1A 2P6
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Abstract

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The Canadian Swift Fox Reintroduction Programme lasted from 1972 to 1997. From 1983 to 1997, a total of 841 captive-raised swift foxes and 91 translocated swift foxes were released in the Canadian Prairies. In South Central Saskatchewan, 406 captiveraised animals and 14 translocated animals were released from 1990 to 1997. This area was used to develop new release methods (in particular, portable protective shelters (PPS)) and saw the co-operation of a nongovernmental organization (NGO) (Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI)) with two levels of government (Heritage Canada (Grasslands National Park) and the Government of Saskatchewan). A 1996–97 survey of swift foxes in South Central Saskatchewan estimated the population to be 87 animals. No attempt has been made to establish if this population level is sustainable.

Keywords

CanadaSaskatchewanswift foxVulpes veloxreintroduction
Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 34 , Issue 3 , July 2000 , pp. 171 - 179
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 2000

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