5,036 pigs removed from Santa Cruz Island, foxes rebounded from 70 to 2,100
California completed the removal of 5,036 feral pigs from Santa Cruz Island in 2006, aiding the recovery of the island fox. The fox population surged from under 70 to about 2,100 by 2015, leading to the removal of three subspecies from the endangered list in 2016, marking a significant conservation success. This highlights effective wildlife management strategies.