RENO, Nev.—Once thought to be extinct, federal wildlife biologists have confirmed sightings of two more rare Sierra Nevada red foxes they believe are related to one that was photographed this summer near Yosemite National Park. More importantly, scientists say DNA samples show enough diversity in the animals to suggest a "fairly strong population" of the foxes may secretly be doing quite well in the rugged mountains about 90 miles south of Reno.
The first confirmed sighting in two decades came in August when a female Sierra Nevada red fox was discovered in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Forest Service officials confirmed on Friday that two additional red foxes—one male and one female—were photographed within about four miles of the original in September.