Fox and Wolf Scat Surveys

Often, the only way to detect an animal in an area is by the sign they leave behind - scat! This sign not only tells us about an animal's presence, but also tells us about their diet and much more.
Scat surveys are an important means of collecting genetic information from otherwise elusive and difficult to study animals, making this survey method especially well-suited for the Wolverine Tracking Project's pursuit of rare carnivores in the Mt Hood National Forest. From this data, we can begin to understand population size, ancestry, habitat connectivity, genetic diversity, and more - information that complements our findings from camera and tracking surveys.

We are particularly interested in collecting scat from two target species: the Sierra Nevada red fox and the gray wolf. If we are very lucky, we also hope to find scat of a third species: the wolverine (read about our target species wolverine here).

Goals

  • Collect genetic data on native, rare carnivores, which informs wildlife researchers and management about an animal's population and habitat connectivity.
  • Give participants the opportunity to go hiking, learn how to identify wildlife in an area from the sign they leave behind, and play a role in the management of our native rare carnivores

Want to learn more?

If you're hiking in Mt Hood NF, keep an eye out for sign of gray wolf. Gray wolves are established on Warm Springs Reservation and the east side of Mt Hood National Forest. Due to their wide range and dispersal habits, they could be found in any area of the forest.
If you're hiking alpine trails during the summer, please help out with this survey. Sierra Nevada red fox are typically found over 4,000' elevation on Mt Hood. One of the most rare mammals in North America, this elusive red fox is native to Mt Hood, Oregon's Cascades, and the Sierra Nevadas.