Action timeline

April 27, 2011 – The Center petitioned the Service to list the Sierra Nevada red fox as a threatened or endangered subspecies under the Endangered Species Act, as well as to designate protected critical habitat.

December 30, 2011 – In response to our petition, the Service announced it would begin a full status review on whether the Sierra Nevada red fox warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. 

January 16, 2013 – When the Service failed to protect the fox, we filed a  notice of intent to sue.

September 23, 2013 – The Center reached a legal agreement requiring the Fish and Wildlife Service to make a decision on Endangered Species Act protection for the Sierra Nevada red fox by 2015.

October 7, 2015 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the Sierra Nevada red fox population in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains on a candidate waiting list, delaying protections for the species.

Photo of Sierra Nevada red fox courtesy USFWS