Blanford's Fox Distribution

Michael Smith, Kevin J. Budd and Christian Gross

Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. PO Box 1022 UAQ, United Arab Emirates

Blanford's fox, Vulpes cana, was first recorded in Arabia in 1981and from the United Arab Emirates in 1995. It has since been shown that they are locally abundant in their range in the northeastern mountains of UAE. Population density, as determined by CPUE, was compared for several sampled sites. Predators or the lack thereof may produce the trends observed, as foxes may be an important food source for Arabian leopards. External body measurements, except for body weight, are similar to those previously recorded. Tail tip colour is not conclusive in their identification, as individuals with white and black-tipped tails have been caught.

Keywords: Vulpes cana; Blanford's fox; distribution; size; identification; CPUE

Information on the distribution of Blanford’s fox, Vulpes cana, has come from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. It has only recently been noted to occur on the Arabian Peninsula (Al-Khalili, 1993 and Roberts, 1997). These records, on the occurrence of Blanford’s fox in Arabia, have been sparse and often limited. Prior to its first capture in the United Arab Emirates (Stuart & Stuart, 1995), it had only been known from four specimens recorded in three localities on the Arabian Peninsula (Nader, 1990, Harrison & Bates, 1991 and Al-Khalili, 1993). Since its discovery in the UAE more specimens have been live trapped. This trapping has always formed part of other surveys conducted in the region. No clear picture of this animal’s distribution or status in the wild has been made. There is concern about this lack of knowledge, especially in view of the fact that it has a CITES II classification. This is mainly due to it being locally common in its range (Mendelssohn et al,. 1987) or rare in other parts of Asia (Kingdon, 1991; Roberts, 1997). In Asia, where this species was first recorded, the dense luxuriant fur of the Blanford’s fox is highly prized and information on the distribution has been obtained from traders (Roberts, 1997). Trade in fox fur has not been recorded from Arabia and this may in part be a reason for its late discovery in the peninsula.

Blanford’s fox is noted as being a small animal. Harrison and Bates (1991) report it being only slightly larger than a Fennec fox, Vulpes zerda. This is largely due to the bushy tail that is almost equal in size to its body. The tip of the tail is generally black with numerous black-tipped hairs throughout its length. However, in some specimens the tail may have a white tip (Stuart & Stuart, 1995; Roberts, 1997). The luxuriant fur, for which it is trapped in Asia, seems to be the relic of former Ice-Age fauna (Kingdon, 1991). This may be a reason for its scattered distribution and restricted range that is associated with montane habitats. Blanford’s foxes are located in areas with steep rocky cliffs and the upper reaches of boulder-strewn wadis. In these areas the climate may be extremely hot in summer and in winter subzero temperatures are recorded. In areas outside Arabia they are located at altitudes of less than 2000 m (Kingdon, 1991). Its thick fur indicates that it is capable of withstanding the cold at these altitudes.

The UAE Mountains are made up of three different ranges namely; the southern Hajar, the Shimaliyya and the Rus al Jibbal mountains. The environments are all under constant pressure from man who is encroaching on the natural habitat of Blanford’s foxes. Quarrying for rock and stone is reducing the slopes of whole mountains to sheer cliff faces. The construction of roads to remove rocks or to penetrate the mountainous areas is bringing man into closer contact with the foxes. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), that compete with Blanford’s foxes for resources, are one of the few species that increase in number due man's presence. Thus, competition for food resources has increased. Actual population size in the UAE is unknown and it is thus difficult to give determine whether or not numbers are decreasing.

Data was collected by a live trapping survey, visual records and by means of camera traps. Four foxes were trapped in the early part of 1995 and represented the first capture of Blanford’s fox in the UAE. In 1997 a further three foxes were trapped to start a captive breeding program at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah. In 1999, a long-term survey of all animals in the UAE was initiated. Several sites, in the Hajar Mountains and Rus al Jibal were selected for this survey. The selection was based on the site’s relation to wadis and distance from towns. Each site was represented by a 25 km² square overlaid on a map. The sites were then sampled by setting live capture traps at several locations within each site. The location of the traps was based on the position from farmsteads, type of habitat most likely to sustain animals and signs of occupation by animals. Most often the traps were hidden under trees or long grass. This was to provide shelter for any animals captured as well as to prevent interference from people. Each trap was then baited with quail or pigeon and a strong smelling lure and dates were spread around the trap. Traps were checked every morning and reset in the late afternoon.

Captured animals were anaesthetized and samples, measurements and photographs were taken according to a standard protocol. The most recently trapped animals, 1999 onwards, were also microchipped using the trovanâ passive transponder system. Several foxes were kept at the Breeding Centre and integrated into the captive-breeding program, while most animals were released.

Trail monitors, TM 1500, were used in January 2000 to obtain pictures of the Blanford’s foxes in the wild. Distinguishing features, times and dates were used to identify different individuals. This data along with visual records could only be used to determine distribution and abundance. Distribution was determined by recording the longitude and latitude and plotting these values on maps. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was calculated as an index of relative density between the different areas sampled. No actual density values could be calculated, as a mark-recapture project has still to be completed.

Figure 1. Blanford's fox distribution in the United Arab Emirates. Inset: Distribution of Blanford's fox after Harrison &Bates (1991).

Nineteen animals were trapped between 1997 and January 2000 in the northeastern parts of the United Arab Emirates. Their distribution extends from the Hajar range in the south to the Rus al Jibbal in the north (Fig. 1). Camera trap records of two individuals were obtained in Wadi Wurrayah. Five dead specimens were recorded, three from Wadi Wurrayah and two near Hatta (J Wensvoort, pers. comm.).

Relative abundance, of foxes, between the different sites was indicated by calculating catch per unit effort (Table 1). The highest density of foxes was found in Wadi Shawkah, a farming area, where one fox is trapped for every ten trap nights. Wadi Wurrayah and Wadi Ziqt, both along the East Coast, have the same density. Wadi Siji, which is approximately half the size of Wadi Shawkah and has large quarries throughout its length, has the lowest density.

Table 1. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) for four trap areas

 

Wadi	CPUE
Shawkah	0.099
Wurrayah	0.039
Siji	0.020
Ziqt	0.040

External body measurements for all captured specimens are given in Table 2. Total length (L) and tail length (T) are not significantly less than those given by Mendelssohn et al. (1987). The measurements reported by Mendelssohn et al. (1987) are within the range reported here. However, mean body weight (BW) is greater by a third than previously recorded. A body weight of more than 1200 g is common and only young individuals had a body weight less than 1000 g. The maximum body weight (1550 g) is the highest of any previously published values. Ear size is also 2.6 cm larger than the measurements reported by Mendelssohn et al. (1987).

Table 2. External body measurements of all specimens trapped in the UAE

Males (1303 g) are not significantly more robust than females (1209 g) (p > 0.05). Both males and females have similar colouration. The tails are large, almost matching head and body length. The backs of the ears are dark brown, almost black colour with the anterior and posterior margins being buffy white. The facial marking is characterized by dark "tear" streaks extending from the inner eye down the side of the slender muzzle. Several of the trapped animals as well as those photographed exhibited white tipped tails (n=6). The majority (n=14) however, have black tipped tails.

Blanford's foxes have a range, in the UAE, which is restricted to the mountainous northeastern regions. It is likely that locally abundant populations exist from the mountainous regions of western Saudi Arabia and Yemen, through the southern mountains of Oman into the Hajar Mountains and the Rus al Jibbal along the east coast of Arabia. Vulpes cana has also recently been recorded from north-eastern Egypt (Peters &Rodel, 1994). The distribution of this elusive fox is, therefore, greater than previously estimated. Off-road vehicles and the construction of roads into inaccessible areas as well as improved techniques have made it easier to trap in the mountains. Blanford's foxes, especially those with white tipped tails, may have been confused with Red foxes (Phelan & Smith, in press) and therefore their existence in certain areas has been overlooked.

The density of foxes in certain areas is affected by human activities. Large scale quarrying in Wadi Siji and the construction of a road through the wadi, is the most likely reason for the lower density of foxes in the area. Wadi Shawkah, on the other hand, is a farming area. The introduction of food resources, such as dates and rodents, could attract foxes into the area. Further studies into the habitat requirements of Vulpes cana are being done to determine other parameters that affect their density and distribution.

All trapped individuals were caught in or near the wadi floor. Blanford's foxes readily enter traps and many individuals were caught on the same night that the trap was set. They are quickly familiarized with the camera traps as well and remain near the trap which would then photograph an individual repeatedly. However, they are generally not so bold as to enter the traps on successive nights. Released animals immediately headed for the steep wadi walls and proceeded up and along the rocks until they were out of sight. Often they would enter small holes or caves that may have been dens.

Despite Blanford's foxes in the UAE having similar body measurements to those reported by Mendelssohn et al. (1987), they do have a mean body weight which is higher. The animals trapped in the UAE are thus stockier. No sexual dimorphism occurs. Females will often be as large as the males. Other variations are the darker ears and the occurrence of specimens with white-tipped tails. Therefore, these factors cannot solely be used when identifying this species from the ubiquitous Red Fox. The size of the large bushy tail as well as the small, short-clawed feet and shorter legs are more indicative of Vulpes cana when compared to Vulpes vulpes. The body of Vulpes cana is less strikingly marked than that of Vulpes vulpes which tends to have distinctive black markings on the chest and belly. The occurrence of the white-tipped tail is a genetic variation in the population and not an aberration as reported by Stuart and Stuart (1995). This was verified by the birth of two cubs at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah, one with a black tip and the other with a white tip to their tails. The white tip was inherited from the father who also had a white tip.

Blanford's foxes may be an important food source for Arabian leopards, Panthera pardus nimr. With the reduction of the leopard's natural prey such as Tahr, Hemitragus jayakari, and Mountain gazelle, Gazella gazella cora, there will be a shift towards feeding on other available prey. This will significantly affect the density of Vulpes cana in areas with high leopard densities. Consequently, an increase in Blanford's fox numbers could indicate a decrease in predation pressure from leopards.

The support of HH Dr Sheik Sultan bin Mohammed al Qassimi and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah is greatly acknowledged. We would personally like to thank Abdulaziz Abdullah al Midfa and the staff at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, Sharjah for their support and help in collecting data. A word of thanks must go to Mr J Wensvoort for supplying information on foxes found near Hatta.

Al-Khalili, A.D. (1993). Ecological review and the distribution of Blanford's Fox Vulpes cana Blanford, 1877 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae). Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 13: 390-396.

Harrison, D.L. & Bates, P.J.J. (1991). The Mammals of Saudi Arabia (2^nd Edn). Sevenoaks, England: Harrison Zoological Museum. 354 pp.

Kingdon, J. (1990). Arabian Mammals A Natural History. London: Academic Press. 279 pp.

Mendolssohn, H., Yom-Tov, Y., Ilany, G. & Meninger, D. (1987). On the occurrence of Blanford's fox Vulpes cana Blanford, 1877, in Israel and Sinai. Mammalia, 51 (3): 459-462.

Nader, I.A. (1990). Checklist of the Mammals of Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 11: 329-381.

Peters, G. & Rodel R. (1994). Blanford's fox in Africa. Bonner Zoologische Beitrage: 45(2): 99-111.

Phelan, P.P. & Smith, M. (in press). Red fox or Blanford's fox, a case of mistaken identity? Tribulus.

Roberts, T.J. (1997). The Mammals of Pakistan (Revised Edn). Karachi: Oxford University Press. 525 pp.

Stuart, C. & Stuart, T. (1995). First record of Blanford's Fox Vulpes cana from South-Eastern Arabian peninsula with notes on the canids of the mountains of the United Arab Emirates, in Minute to Midnight. Report of a scientific survey on the status of indigenous wildlife in the United Arab Emirates executed on behalf of the Arabian Leopard Trust. 41 pp.

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