The kit fox is a sensitive species threatened by a variety of factors. Based on comparisons to historical distribution and recent research, kit fox abundance in Utah has declined precipitously from historical levels (Dempsey 2013; Kozlowski et. al 2007; Reed-Eckert 2010; Wright 2005 and 2012; Lonsinger et al. 2018). Estimates of historical populations in the West Desert are 5.1 to 7.5 times higher than contemporary estimates and genetic analysis suggests the population may be at risk of inbreeding depression and local extinction (Lonsinger et al. 2018). Kit foxes on Dugway Proving Ground have among the largest home ranges ever reported, likely related to poor habitat quality (Dempsey 2013; Kluever et al. 2017). Although researchers were unable to link the distribution of coyotes to artificial water developments (Hall et al. 2013), coyote predation remains the primary cause of death of kit foxes in the Great Basin (Kluever et al. 2017). We have also identified a wide variety of additional threats including energy development, OHV use, excessive legal harvest, water developments, and improper grazing. Although the individual impact of those threats may be lower, cumulatively they may act to threaten the viability of kit fox populations. Whereas kit foxes have been intensively researched in some areas of the state, most notably on Dugway Proving Ground and the surrounding West Desert, other areas including in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Plateau have received much less attention, but may be facing even greater threats. Concern for kit foxes also extends beyond Utah. The San Joaquin subspecies has long been listed as endangered, and in the past decade the Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned to list all kit foxes in California. Other work has shown the kit fox appears to be in decline in the northernmost and other peripheral portions of its range. (Sacks and Milburn 2018, Eckrich et al. 2018). Ultimately, the goal is to keep this species common on the landscape and to generate data that would support a "not-warranted" finding if kit foxes were petitioned. Assessments of distribution and population trends over time help to define the geographic ranges and acceptable fluctuations in populations size for species. Strategic monitoring of mammal species in Utah has supported five not-warranted findings in the last decade. UDWR has established a periodic "rotation" to assess sensitive mammal populations to track status, trend, and emerging threats. Repeating monitoring protocols at statistically supported intervals is part of the adaptive management cycle to assess the effectiveness of our actions and provides needed information for a Species Status Assessments (SSA). An SSA characterizes a species' ability to sustain populations in the wild over time based on the best scientific understanding of current and future abundance and distribution within the species' ecological settings. SSAs heavily rely on information provided by states on the past and current populations and trends. Recognizing the need for regular assessments of kit fox populations, UDWR, DPG, and the BLM supported a graduate student to test occupancy approaches to kit fox monitoring (Richards 2017). From that work, we have a protocol for optimizing monitoring efforts for kit foxes at camera stations. A pilot year of monitoring was conducted in 2015 with monitoring designed to be repeated at 5-year intervals. We believe using those methods at plots selected based on a species distribution model will provide the inference to guide statewide management.

Objectives Develop and implement a monitoring protocol for kit foxes that can guide adaptive management of the species. Tasks: * Collect and collate data to produce a species distribution model; * Develop a statistically robust sampling scheme and protocol; * Determine the distribution of kit foxes; * Determine the baseline occupancy and relative abundance of kit foxes in various areas and habitat types; * Define core areas and "at risk" habitats; * Assess threats and develop management options for identified areas; * Gather baseline information on other species of potential conservation concern and/or kit fox predators.

Project implementation would support actions identified in Utah's Wildlife Action Plan. The project is consistent with BLM resource management plans and DPG and HAFB Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans.

UDWR has the authority to administer this project.

Kit fox data from a variety of efforts and agencies is being collected and collated into a centralized database. That information will be used to produce a Species Distribution Model as part of ongoing efforts with Tom Edwards (USU) and his graduate students. Based upon model probabilities, sampling plots will be distributed statewide for sampling. The design will also allow for project overlays where BLM offices may need additional information. Field work would occur in Fall 2020. We will place Reconyx infrared cameras within randomly selected cells throughout study areas in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Deserts. Each of the cameras will be programmed to take three consecutive photographs at one-second intervals each time the camera was triggered, followed by a 30 second quiet period (Stratman and Apker, 2014). A bundle of nine cottons swabs dipped in lure will be places approximately two meters from each camera trap. Stations will be deployed for one week. Upon retrieval, all photographs will identified to species and cataloged in a centralized database. We will use Program Presence or R statistical software to generate estimates of detection probability and occupancy. We will also use model selection to explore how occupancy varies as a function of covariates. Based on the survey results, we will develop a management framework for kit foxes that identifies core areas to focus on the preservation of kit foxes and "at risk" habitats where active management is needed to maintain the population. We will then work with land managers to recommend and implement actions for those areas. Options could include prioritizing areas for fire prevention and suppression, re-establishing shrub cover following fires, limiting legal trapping, and implementing focused predator control. The protocol can also be used to determine whether kit foxes are present within a proposed project footprint.

We plan to repeat the protocol every five years.

Bureau of Land Management, Dugway Proving Ground, Hill Air Force Base

The proposed project will give us information on the distribution and relative abundance of kit foxes. That information will then be used to identify threats and target management actions to ensure the long-term persistence of kit fox populations and preclude the need for ESA listing. We plan to repeat the protocol every five years.

07/01/2020

06/30/2021

2021

We developed and tested a statewide monitoring protocol for kit foxes.

We developed a model for kit foxes based on Landfire habitat types. We overlaid this modeled kit fox habitat with a 6 km2 grid (cell approximately equivalent to female kit fox home range) to create a sampling frame. Cells containing a minimum of 25% modeled kit fox habitat were included and selected to generate a spatially balanced sample. Within each selected cell a single camera was placed along with fox lure and left for a week. In addition to UDWR, cameras were placed by several BLM field offices, Dugway Proving Ground, Hill Air Force Base, and the Navajo Nation. Upon retrieval, photos were inspected and all animals identified to species when possible. Data has been collected and summarized for 108 sites with 26,172 photos analyzed (see attached summary). We are awaiting additional data from BLM and DoD partners. Kit foxes were recorded at 20 sites and were more commonly encountered in the Great Basin desert than the Colorado plateau. Photos captured occupancy data on an additional 30 species and/or species groups.

Overall the project was successful and we were able to get great buy-in by land management agencies. Although analysis is ongoing, it is felt that the model overpredicted kit fox habitat in the Colorado Plateau. We will work to better refine suitable habitat in that area. We also plan to meet with land managers to discuss the results and work on management recommendations. Photos collected by UDWR have been catalogued and the data is formatted for analysis. We are awaiting camera data from several partners before going forward with occupancy analyses. A new UDWR employee with expertise in camera data is leading the analysis efforts. Based on the results, we will determine if the protocol needs adjusted going forward and identify data and conservation needs.