In the 1800s red foxes came to California and a rare rail nearly vanished

In the 1800s, red foxes were introduced to California for hunting and fur farming. These foxes escaped captivity or were intentionally released, establishing populations beyond their intended boundaries. Their presence in California's coastal wetlands led to a sharp decline in the light-footed Ridgway's rail population at Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge within seven years, dropping from a higher number to just five breeding pairs.

This endangered bird, with its grey-brown plumage and preference for dense marsh plants, relies on small patches of fragmented marshland. The introduction of non-native red foxes has added to the challenges facing this species, which has been federally endangered since 1969. The light-footed Ridgway's rail continues to struggle with habitat loss and predation, highlighting the complex impacts introduced species can have on vulnerable ecosystems.