In the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy, globular dusters preserve their diff
use spatial distribution despite the fact that the clusters' orbital decay
timescale is much shorter than the estimated age of the host galaxy. We pro
pose that this paradox may be resolved if (1) Fornax contains black holes w
ith a sizeable fraction of the mass of these clusters or if (2) it is curre
ntly undergoing tidal disruption. For the black hole scenario, a centrally
peaked velocity-dispersion distribution is anticipated but has not been obs
ervationally confirmed. The second scenario requires Fornax to have lost a
significant fraction of its original mass. The second scenario is possible
if the mass of the Galactic dark matter is similar to 10(12) M. out to the
present distance of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy or if Fornax is near
its apogalacticon and has an orbit similar to that of the Large Magellanic
Cloud. The inferred proper motion, less than or equal to 0 ".16 century(-1
), for Fornax and the anticipated stream of tidally stripped stars outside
its tidal radius may be used to test this scenario.