The swift fox, North America’s smallest canine, is reestablishing its place in Northwestern Montana — one corner of its former stomping ground. Before the reintroduction of 30 swift foxes, none had been seen in Montana since 1918. The species was declared extinct in the state in 1969.

Three organizations combined efforts toward the reintroduction: the Blackfeet Indian Reservation provided the release site; the Cochrane Ecological Institute provided the foxes; and the Defenders of Wildlife coordinated and funded the project, which culminated with the release last summer.

Only two of the foxes are confirmed dead, both hit by automobiles. Autopsies show that both foxes were healthy before being struck.

The swift foxes, so-called for their speed, were believed to have fallen from existence from trapping, loss of habitat due to farming, and incidental poisoning by bait set out for coyotes and wolves.

News compiled by Eric Hansen, Nate Hoogeveen, Jane Maguire, and Mary Catherine O'Connor of Outside magazine.