With population numbers dwindling across their range, a swift fox recovery program began in 1971 with surveys to determine best areas for reintroductions in Canada.  Released animals were sourced from conservation breeding facilities in Canada and translocated from some of the remaining wild U.S. populations. Wildlife Preservation Canada supported a conservation breeding program with the Cochrane Ecological Institute to produce foxes for release. At the same time research carried out by Axel and Cynthia Moehrenschlager focused on working closely with local landowners and farmers during the reintroduction to ensure that the fox was protected along with its grassland habitat. Camera-trapping and live-trapping monitored the success of conservation actions.

As a result of combined conservation efforts, the swift fox was re-established in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, returning the species back to Canadian grasslands many decades after they had been lost.

This is considered one of the most successful reintroduction programs in the  world.

The successful return of the swift fox perfectly demonstrates that joining in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts increases the chance of saving many species from extinction compared to such actions in isolation. This “One Plan Approach” is promoted by the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group. Integrated management strategies developed together by all conservation actors from the very beginning of the planning process ensures that all possible conservation actions are used most effectively. Thanks to the use of conservation breeding and releases within such a One Plan Approach we can once again enjoy the sight of the charming and fleet-of-foot swift fox in Canada’s prairie grasslands.