Endangered red foxes seen in California

BRIDGEPORT, Calif., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Wildlife researchers in California say new findings prove Sierra Nevada red foxes, although greatly endangered, are slightly more common than thought.

At least half a dozen of the red foxes, a species once thought nearly wiped out in the 1920s, are roaming high country wilderness south of Yosemite National Park, U.S. Forest Service biologists said Thursday.

Previously biologists had believed the only known population of Vulpes vulpes necator consisted of about 20 animals clinging to survival in the Lassen Peak region about 150 miles to the north, the Los Angeles Times reported.

DNA analyses shows the two groups may be related, researchers said.

Several red foxes have been sighted in recent months just west of Bridgeport, Forest Service biologist Sherri Lisius said.

"We know there are six, which is still ridiculously rare," Lisius said. "We are expanding our studies of this animal, the rarest carnivore in the state, in hopes of finding more. It would be sad to lose this special creature just after rediscovering it."