9 endangered Arctic foxes born in Finland this summer

A total of nine cubs of extremely endangered Arctic fox have been born in Finland this summer in the three successful Arctic fox dens in the Enontekiö fell area, said state-owned Metsähallitus and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in a joint press release on Monday.

This is the third consecutive summer during which cubs of the extremely endangered Arctic fox have been born in Finland.

The return of the Arctic fox to Finnish nature is the result of many years of work.

In 2022, the Arctic fox successfully denned in Finland for the first time in more than 25 years, and last year there were record five dens.

In addition to dens, female foxes have also been sighted in different fell areas of Enontekiö and Utsjoki this year.

"We are sure that there was at least one failed Arctic fox attempt to den this summer, when red foxes took over a den where an Arctic fox had cubs last year. Red foxes that have spread to fell areas are the worst competitor of the Arctic fox. Among other things, red foxes takes over denning sites suitable for the Arctic fox," said Jukka Ikonen, nature conservation specialist with Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland.

Metsähallitus is responsible for protecting Arctic fox in Finland.

"The number of Arctic fox cubs born this year was lower than last year, as the primary natural source of food for Arctic foxes, voles and lemmings, was low. Together with Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland, we have been providing extra food to Arctic foxes for several years. Arctic fox feeding machines are particularly important in years with a low vole population," said Petteri Tolvanen, WWF Programme Director.