The arctic fox is categorized into the Critically Endangered category meaning they are in danger to be extinct in three generations. It is estimated to be a 50% chance.
Threats against the Arctic fox
The Arctic fox was impacted hugely by the fur trade because of its extremely high quality fur coat. The fox is still hunted now for its fur, particularly by native populations who live close to them. The fur trade has decreased a large amount and the Arctic fox is not as vulnerable to over exploitation as it once was. The lack of prey is the most common threat for the Arctic fox. Disease and genetic pollution of the species by foxes bred in captivity also threatens this species. Another threat that impacts the Arctic fox is the climate change because the temperatures in the Arctic are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the world. Warming temperatures can lead to many changes in the Arctic which include reduced sea ice, melting permafrost and rising sea levels.
Threats against the Arctic fox
The Arctic fox was impacted hugely by the fur trade because of its extremely high quality fur coat. The fox is still hunted now for its fur, particularly by native populations who live close to them. The fur trade has decreased a large amount and the Arctic fox is not as vulnerable to over exploitation as it once was. The lack of prey is the most common threat for the Arctic fox. Disease and genetic pollution of the species by foxes bred in captivity also threatens this species. Another threat that impacts the Arctic fox is the climate change because the temperatures in the Arctic are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the world. Warming temperatures can lead to many changes in the Arctic which include reduced sea ice, melting permafrost and rising sea levels.
Organizations Involved
World Wildlife Fund works to make sure ecosystems are supported and protected. They mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure the survival of the Arctic fox and other species. Another organization that has promoted the recovery of the Arctic fox is SEFALO. The Swedish-Finnish-Norwegian Arctic Fox Project started in 2003 and finished in 2008. They worked to double the number of breeding arctic foxes in Fennoscandia (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Kola Peninsula). According to their final report there were about 40 adult Arctic foxes were present in Sweden and only five litters were born when the project started. During the summer of 2007, 24 Arctic fox litters were born in Sweden and 15 were born in Norway. Today, there are about 200 individual Arctic foxes in Fennoscandia.
The Arctic Fox is an important species in its environment, presented as food for many well-known animals such as the Polar Bear. Without it being a source of food for these animals, many others will face extinction.
To see how you can help the Arctic Fox and other threatened species, go to https://worldwildlife.org/
World Wildlife Fund works to make sure ecosystems are supported and protected. They mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure the survival of the Arctic fox and other species. Another organization that has promoted the recovery of the Arctic fox is SEFALO. The Swedish-Finnish-Norwegian Arctic Fox Project started in 2003 and finished in 2008. They worked to double the number of breeding arctic foxes in Fennoscandia (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Kola Peninsula). According to their final report there were about 40 adult Arctic foxes were present in Sweden and only five litters were born when the project started. During the summer of 2007, 24 Arctic fox litters were born in Sweden and 15 were born in Norway. Today, there are about 200 individual Arctic foxes in Fennoscandia.
The Arctic Fox is an important species in its environment, presented as food for many well-known animals such as the Polar Bear. Without it being a source of food for these animals, many others will face extinction.
To see how you can help the Arctic Fox and other threatened species, go to https://worldwildlife.org/