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The Arctic fox is classified as a critically endangered species in Finland.
Image: Petri Piisilä / Metsähallitus
Inspectors from Finland’s wildlife agency, Metsähallitus, have recently made a significant discovery: two new dens belonging to the critically endangered Arctic fox.
These nests were located in Finnish Lapland, where at least 16 cubs made their entrance into the world this past summer.
One of the dens is particularly noteworthy: it sits near the Enontekiö fells and marks the spot where an Arctic fox den was found for the first time in 25 years last November.
“It’s encouraging to see progress,” said Petteri Tolvanen, WWF Program Director. “This year, many areas of Northern Lapland experienced a good vole season, providing an abundant natural food source for Arctic foxes.”
In an effort to bolster the population of Arctic foxes, WWF Finland established a dedicated working group in 2020 focused on monitoring and conserving this endangered species.
Yet the food situation remains precarious and often unpredictable for the Arctic fox.
To aid in their survival, Metsähallitus and WWF maintain feeding stations around the fells. These stations not only support the young cubs but also help the adult foxes remain in the area, especially during times when natural food supplies dwindle.
Collaboration is key, and both organizations are working closely with their counterparts in Sweden and Norway to enhance Arctic fox conservation efforts across the region.
Climate Change and Human Impact: Ongoing Threats
While the recent developments are promising, global warming and its ramifications continue to pose serious threats to the Arctic fox’s survival, alongside human litter found in these fragile habitats.
“Increased human activity in these wilderness areas also puts the Arctic fox at risk,” Tolvanen pointed out. “More food scraps and fishing residues left behind benefit the red fox, which poses a direct threat to Arctic fox populations.”
Current estimates suggest that the combined adult population of Arctic foxes in Norway, Sweden, and Finland is now around 550—a substantial rebound from the early 2000s when there were as few as 40 to 60 adults.
In Finland, the annual count of Arctic foxes is estimated to be between 10 and 20, with observations on the rise in recent years, according to Metsähallitus.
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