Arctic fox Captive Breeding Programme_ Release 2022

Twenty years ago, there were as few as 40 – 60 Arctic foxes remaining in Scandinavia. Urgent conservation action was required to save the Critically Endangered species from local extinction, and in 2005 a captive breeding facility was established at Sæterfjellet, approximately 25 km south of Oppdal, Norway. In February 2022, 25 Arctic foxes were released in the Reisa sør region. This short video provides a behind the scenes look into the Arctic foxes’ capture, transportation and release. The long-term programme represents a central pillar in the species’ conservation in Norway. Each year, captive-reared offspring are strategically released in various mountain areas across Norway. Since the first release in 2006, a total of 460 Arctic foxes have been reintroduced into the wild. The Captive Breeding Programme has resulted in the reestablishment of three locally extinct Arctic fox populations and strengthened numbers in numerous others. Emigration of released individuals into Sweden and Finland have benefited the Scandinavian population as a whole. In combination with active management interventions in the release sites, such as supplementary feeding and culling of red foxes, the Norwegian Arctic fox population is now estimated to number ca. 300 adults, while the entire Scandinavian population numbers ca. 470. NINA is commissioned by the Norwegian Environment Agency to manage and run the captive breeding programme. The programme additionally involves close collaboration with the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (SNO) and several local conservation authorities, who are responsible for field-related activities and monitoring of the foxes in the wild. Read more: Photo and edit: Craig Jackson and Kristine Roaldsnes Ulvund/NINA