Elusive red fox makes a rare appearance in Yosemite

An endangered Sierra Nevada red fox has been spotted in Yosemite for the first time in nearly 100 years.

The rare and elusive animal was captured twice on motion-sensitive cameras that were placed in the national park’s remote high-country by the Yosemite Conservancy– once this month and once last month.

Park officials say that only about 50 Sierra Nevada red foxes survive in the wild. The last time one was seen in Yosemite was in 1915.

Red Foxes live around the six-thousand-foot elevation level and are expert at avoiding humans. Not so long ago, scientists thought the animals were nearly extinct.

Researchers plan to continue using remote cameras in hopes of catching another glimpse of the animals. They are also hoping to get hair samples for genetic analysis.