1982•OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information)Requires access
Mortality and dispersal of San Joaquin kit fox. [Vulpes macrotis matica]
T.T. Kato, T.P. O'Farrell, Patrick M. McCue, Bryn Evans
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Abstract
Populations of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, Vulpes macrotis mutica, are known to occur on the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1 (NPR-1) in the Elk Hills, California. In order to ascertain whether the maximization of oil production and associated human activity jeopardized the continued existence of the kit fox, a study of the sources of mortality and patterns of dispersal of the kit fox was conducted. Sources of mortality in disturbed and undisturbed habitat were not significantly different. Predation was the most common cause of death, while vehicle-related deaths amounted to 14% of known mortalities. Levels of disturbance did not appear to influence dispersal patterns of juvenile kit fox. (ACR)