Swift fox reintroductions on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana, USA

Swift foxes ( Vulpes velox) were once common prairie inhabitants throughout western North America and were integral components within ecosystems and some Native American tribal cultures. In response to extirpation from tribal lands, the Blackfeet Tribe and Defenders of Wildlife reintroduced 123 captive-raised swift foxes from 1998 to 2002 to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana, USA. We used two success criteria, a population growth rate ⩾1.0 and an index count ⩾100 foxes, to determine if the reintroduction was a short-term success. We radiocollared and monitored swift foxes from 2003 to 2005 to estimate survival and fecundity. The swift fox population grew at a rate of 16% during 2003/2004 and 14% in 2004/2005. In addition, field crews observed 93 foxes in the summer of 2005. The swift fox population reached one, and very nearly both, of our short-term success criteria. In light of swift fox sign in areas where we were unable to observe foxes despite being aware of their presence, we believe there were ⩾100 foxes present in 2005. Based on our success criteria and the discovery of swift foxes 110 km from the release site, we consider this reintroduction a short-term success with promise for long-term success. The Blackfeet Tribe and Defenders of Wildlife have attained their goal of restoring a culturally important species to Tribal lands and have initiated a comeback of swift foxes beyond the Reservation border to the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana. Collaborative projects between tribes and non-governmental groups can play a vital role in our effort to conserve biologically and culturally significant species.