Norway is no doubt known for its beautiful landscape and amazing wildlife. Some of the beautiful creatures that can be found in Norway include polar bears, wolves, reindeer, and arctic foxes. However, the latter animal has been dangerously close to extinction in the last few decades. Fortunately, there has been a state-sponsored program to boost the population of the artic fox.
For 20 years, Norway has been feeding the arctic foxes which has resulted in the number of foxes raising from 40 to 550. Bjørn Rangbru, a representative from the country’s environment agency believes, “Without these conservation measures, the arctic fox would surely have become extinct in Norway.” The country has spent an annual cost of 3.1 million NOK (US$ 289,000) to feed the foxes and does not plan to cease the program anytime soon.
The fox care occurs at the Arctic Fox Captive Breeding Station near Oppdal, Norway. Researchers from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research care for the pups in enclosures and release them to the wild once they are ready. The staff also puts out frozen meat at feeding points around the station for the arctic fox population in the area; it has been noted that many of the foxes prefer hunting rodents themselves, when they can be found. The low lemming population has been one of the factors affecting the arctic fox’s survival.
Though the program is certainly increasing the arctic fox population, there is still a long way to go. The goal is to reach 2,000 arctic foxes running free in Scandinavia. It is estimated that it will take another 25 years to hit this number and to feel that the species has been saved.