Population genetics and disease titres of the island grey fox are being investigated by Dr. R.Wayne, University of Califomia, Los Angeles. An 18 month research programme, running concurrently on Santa Rosa and San Miguel, has been proposed by D. Garcelon, Institute for Wildlife Studies. The establishment of a captive breeding population is being considered by the Los Angeles Zoo. Listed as threatened by the State of California. A candidate species for listing as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Enforcement is difficult because islands are remote.
However, this isolation appears, at the moment, to be more useful in providing protection. San Nicholas and San Clemente Islands are occupied by the U.S. Navy. Two other islands, Santa Rosa and San Nfiguel, are administered by the U.S. Park Service. On these islands, we can assume protection and enforcement are assured.