Current Status:

The Island Fox is considered Near Threatened according to the IUCN Red List website. According to IUCN, the species does not fit under the criteria necessary to be considered threatened. However, it is classified as "Near Threatened" because of its relatively small population size, the continuing threats it faces from invasive species and diseases, and also the continuing need for intensive human efforts to maintain its population.

Past Status:

2004–Critically Endangered

1994–Rare (Groombridge 1994)

1990–Rare (IUCN 1990)

Although the fox is native and unique to the California Channel Islands, at one point it was under serious risk of extinction. In some of the islands, the population declined by by more than 90% between 1995 and 2000.This threat of extinction was partly due to the beginning of human settling of the island. In San Clemente Island, the foxes were culled or removed from the island. Foxes also died due to being hit by vehicles. Also, human settlers reduced wild pigs that disrupted the fox's lifestyle. The wild pigs attracted another invasive species: the golden eagle, that ate the fox and reduced its numbers. Also, diseases such as CDV reduced the population of this fox. Another major cause was the reduction of the native bald eagle due to the pesticide DDT. 

In order to prevent the fox's extinction, wildllife organizations and the park service began taking measures. They eliminated the invasive pigs and began removing the golden eagles from the Island. They also began a breeding program to help increase fox populations. Since 2004 when the fox was critically endangered, the fox has made a substantial recovery. However, it still requires human intervention. The hope is that the island fox will continue to be able to make a successful recovery.