Successful eradication of introduced foxes from large Aleutian islands

Abstract

The Aleutians are a volcanic chain of 200 named treeless islands, islets, and rocks that extend west off the Alaska mainland for more than 1,100 miles. Almost all of the Aleutian Islands have had non-native mammals introduced, including foxes, since their discovery by Russia in 1741. Most islands are in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and since 1949, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has eradicated foxes from 36 islands (951,174 acres) using various methods. Most recently, foxes have been eliminated from some of the largest islands (more than 50,000 acres) in the refuge by simultaneously trapping from three two-person camps using primarily leg hold traps. Recently, M44 devices were used during eradication efforts, although most foxes were taken by traps and shooting. Foxes are being removed to restore the native biological diversity.