Researchers examine potential population decline in the gray fox

Gray foxes have been a staple of Virginia’s—and the Southeast’s—landscape for decades. In recent years, there’s been a growing concern that they might be undergoing a population decline in the commonwealth.

In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Tech researchers are working on understanding exactly what is happening with gray foxes—if the population decline is habitat related, caused by pressure from coyotes, competition with red foxes, or if there’s a population decline at all.

“All of this is little understood and the comments we’ve received are anecdotal,” said Marcella Kelly, professor in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and primary investigator on the project. “It’s important for us to figure out because we’ve been hearing mixed messages about gray foxes. Some people don’t think they’re declining, and some are convinced the population is declining.”

Gray foxes are native to Virginia and are ecologically important to the environment.

“Gray foxes are valuable as seed dispersers because they eat fruits and berries, but they largely help with population control of small mammals,” said Victoria Monette, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

“Take mice, for example. Mice are known to be vectors of diseases, such as Lyme disease. Gray foxes help keep these populations in check. If there is a population decline in gray foxes, it can have indirect impacts on people.”

Based on the results of the research, the Department of Wildlife Resources, in collaboration with the research team, could create a management plan for gray foxes.

To study the gray fox population, the researchers placed hundreds of trail cameras across Virginia to gather data on current population levels.

After analyzing Virginia’s diverse environment, Monette determined that trail cameras associated with the project should be spaced out at least every 5 kilometers. To do this, it required the tried-and-true method of canvassing—knocking on people’s doors one by one to gain permission to place a trail camera on the property.

As of Sept. 20, 369 cameras have been placed with 74% of cameras set on private properties, 19% on national forest lands, 4% on The Nature Conservancy-managed properties, and 3% on Department of Wildlife Resources-managed properties.

While data is still coming in, of the 192 locations where cameras have been retrieved, gray foxes have been detected at 25, or 13% , of the locations.

The researchers are expecting to close out the 2024 field season with more than 400 cameras set throughout 40 counties in the Virginia Appalachian mountain region.

Roughly 50 additional cameras have been set up by private landowners participating as citizen scientists, with participants from Virginia Master Naturalists, Virginia Working Lands, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Virginia Forest Landowners Group, The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen, the Blue Ridge Discovery Center, and more.

It’s important for past data to be studied to get an idea of what the population was previously to have a baseline comparison. The research team will look at studies and remote camera footage going back more than two decades to get a sense of the population of gray foxes in the past.

This project, which encompasses the traditional scientific method while incorporating citizen-science elements, has been a valuable component in Monette’s pursuit of her Ph.D.

“Through my recent experiences, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the importance of engaging with the public in research, something I hadn’t fully considered before,” Monette said.

“This project has shown me how crucial it is to involve and communicate with a broader audience, sparking my passion for public outreach alongside academic research. I’ve realized how much people care about the work we’re doing, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to share results with them and foster interest in conservation. Moving forward, I’m excited to pursue a Ph.D. that combines my love for research, teaching, and meaningful community engagement.”

The research team will share results of the project after data past and present has been analyzed.