“[I]t was just so heartwarming to see … “

By Alana Francis-Crow

Published on April 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM

Earlier this month, a Carrizo Plain National Monument trail cam captured rare footage of a San Joaquin kit fox family. When the monument’s staff first saw the video, they couldn’t believe the elusive animals had been caught on camera.

While you were sleeping, the foxes came out to play! 🦊 Captured on a trail cam near the Goodwin Education Center at Bureau of Land Management – California’s Carrizo Plain National Monument, this footage shows a den site with a family of kit foxes. These rare and iconic creatures are among the smallest foxes in North America, making moments like these both special and significant. Did you know…Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management are vital to more than 3,000 species nationwide. We partner with local agencies and organizations to take care of their habitat to support self-sustaining populations, natural abundance, and widespread diversity.Posted by Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday, April 16, 2025

San Joaquin kit foxes are North America’s smallest fox species, weighing in at just 5 pounds. They’re native to Central California and are perfectly adapted to thrive in the desert heat. They have large, heat-dispersing ears and get all the water they need from their food.

Unfortunately, San Joaquin kit foxes have been on the endangered species list since 1967. Habitat loss has caused their numbers to dwindle, and it’s become increasingly difficult to see them in the wild.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIrenFyTeyM/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com&rp=%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fscientists-capture-heartwarming-video-of-rare-babies-playing-with-moms-tail%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Ddodo%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawNUh9JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJd3M3ajN2SE9#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A6274.9000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A5849.5%2C%22le%22%3A5853.600000008941%7D

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s conservation efforts have provided a much-needed safe haven for the endangered foxes to live and reproduce.

“The Carrizo Plain is 250,000 acres,” Philip Oviatt, BLM Central California District’s public affairs officer, told The Dodo. “So that’s a big playground for these kit foxes to thrive.”

Over the past few years, several families of San Joaquin kit foxes have settled near Carrizo Plain National Monument’s visitor center. But because the foxes are nocturnal, they’re incredibly difficult to spot. So the trail cam footage, captured overnight, provided a rare glimpse into their nighttime behavior.

One video shows the cubs scampering around without a care in the world. In one adorable moment, the babies playfully attack their parent’s tail:

https://volume.thedodo.com/embed/cb6c564f9?autoplay=true&loop=true&placement=article&player_type=chorus&tracking=article:lede&privacy_consent=allBureau of Land Management

And another video captured the babies roughhousing and ganging up on their parent.

https://volume.thedodo.com/embed/4a7651a8d?autoplay=true&loop=true&placement=article&player_type=chorus&tracking=article:lede&privacy_consent=allBureau of Land Management

According to Carrizo Plain National Monument wildlife biologist Russell Namitz, the size of this litter of foxes is unusually large. In other words, the parents have got their hands full.

“Average litter size is around four [pups], so to see six out there all on camera was really exciting,” Namitz told The Dodo.

The monument’s staff members were delighted to get to witness the furry family’s sweet moments.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ6w_ZkLFB-/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com&rp=%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fscientists-capture-heartwarming-video-of-rare-babies-playing-with-moms-tail%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Ddodo%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawNUh9JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJd3M3ajN2SE9#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A6280.600000008941%2C%22ls%22%3A5849.5%2C%22le%22%3A5853.600000008941%7D

“Being out in the Carrizo for so many years, it was just so heartwarming to see these special animals just playing and romping around the visitor center,” Johna Hurl, Carrizo Plain National Monument manager, told The Dodo.

Most importantly, the footage captured allowed scientists and the public to get to observe the elusive animals in their natural habitat.

“Studying the animals in that large landscape gives researchers some important information on conservation, their habits and what we can do to continue the recovery of the species,” Hurl said.

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“All of a sudden, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is a really special bird.'”

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• Daily Dodo
• Wildlife

Owl ‘On Death’s Door’ Waits Outside Post Office, Hoping Someone Will Notice

“[He was] sitting on a pile of wet leaves and trash, and just not moving.”

By Alana Francis-Crow

A Salem, Massachusetts, resident was recently out walking their dog when they saw a tiny feathered animal huddled in front of the post office. When they got closer, they realized the animal was a screech owl — and he was struggling.

“[He was] sitting on a pile of wet leaves and trash, and just not moving,” Jess Reese, founder of Salem Wildlife Rescue and licensed wildlife rehabilitator, told The Dodo.

At only 6 inches tall, the owl easily could have gone unnoticed. As Newhouse Wildlife Rescue wrote on Facebook, he was “on death’s door.” But thankfully, the Good Samaritan not only spotted him, but immediately called Reese for help.

As Reese rehabilitates mammals, not raptors, she transferred him to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, who did a thorough examination. The rescue confirmed what Reese had suspected: The owl had been poisoned with a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR).

When a raptor or other carnivorous animal consumes rodents with SGARs in their system, they absorb the poison. The poisoning leads to blood clotting issues, which in many cases result in death. Time was of the essence as the team at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue worked to stabilize the animal.

While still on oxygen, Jane Newhouse, founder of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, transported the owl to Cape Ann Wildlife, Inc., where he received intensive, around-the-clock care. Erin H., Cape Ann Wildlife treasurer, board member and licensed wildlife rehabilitator, treated the owl with oxygen, vitamin K and fluids.

Unfortunately, wildlife rehabilitators deal with rodenticide poisoning cases all too frequently.

“It’s really heartbreaking seeing what humans can do to these raptors,” Erin, who preferred to have her last name omitted, told The Dodo.

SGARs are a huge issue that affects the whole ecosystem: When animals who eat rodents die of rodenticide poisoning, the rodent population increases, so people use even more poison.

“We are killing the predators that naturally control the rodent population,” Erin said.

SGARs can even be dangerous for children and house pets. To keep your local community safe, it’s important to employ safe alternatives to SGARs. Make sure to keep trash secured and consider using humane, poison-free traps.

Before long, the owl started feeling much better. After over two weeks of care, Erin could tell he was ready to return home.

The day of the release, it was as if he hadn’t been struggling to survive just a couple days earlier.

“He shot out of the carrier,” Erin said. “He flew over a big field [and] went straight up into a tree.”

Now, thanks to the dedicated work of the wildlife rescuers, this adorable owl gets a second chance.

To support Salem Wildlife Rescue, you can make a donation here. To support Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, you can donate here. To support Cape Ann Wildlife, founded by Jodi Swenson, you can donate here. You can sign a petition to ban SGARs here.

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