Arctic Fox - Preservation of the Arctic Fox, Alopex lagopus, in Sweden and Finland LIFE98 NAT/S/005371

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1 Arctic Fox - Preservation of the Arctic Fox, Alopex lagopus, in Sweden and Finland LIFE98 NAT/S/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Anders Angerbjørn anders.angerbjorn@zoologi.su.se Project description: Background The Arctic fox occurs in mountain (fjeld) and tundra areas of the Northern Hemisphere. It feeds to a large extent on small rodents and the population size fluctuates greatly, depending on the availability of food. Carrion from reindeer and other animals killed by large carnivores is another important component in the diet, as are grouse. Competition and predation pressure from red fox, Vulpes vulpes, which has increased in numbers in the mountain areas, has added to the Arctic fox's problems. In the EU, the Arctic fox is found only in the northern parts of Sweden and Finland. Here the population size has declined drastically during the 20th century, and the 1997 estimate of the adult population was approximately 70 animals. Thus, there is a considerable risk that the population could go extinct due to random fluctuations in demographic parameters. The population development is similar in adjacent parts of Norway and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. In view of its precarious state, the Arctic fox is considered a priority species, listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. The present project targeted the core area of the Community population along the remote northern border of Sweden and Finland. Objectives The project targeted about 70% of the entire Arctic fox population in the European Community. Main objectives were to halt the declining trend of the species, and to safeguard a viable population of the Arctic fox in Sweden and

2 Finland, by raising the breeding population number by 100% over a period of four years until Emergency actions, such as supplementary feeding and some culling of red fox (in order to reduce competition), would be undertaken in and around a number of target areas, affecting a total of 25 pscis. A full-scale public awareness campaign would also be launched amongst the local community, visiting tourists and hunters, to gain their support and cooperation for the protection of the fox, especially during the vulnerable breeding season. For the long-term management, an international action programme would be developed in parallel with the LIFE project actions and in co-operation with IUCN. The project would be run by a partnership of Swedish and Finnish government and non-governmental organisations to ensure that the population is handled as a single management unit. The Norwegian authorities would also participate as observers in the project steering group meetings Expected actions and results included: Through a summer feeding programme, to reduce juvenile mortality (from emergence to weaning) in target areas by 50 %. Through a winter feeding programme, to raise sub-adult and adult winter survival and breeding success, leading to a doubling of the breeding population over four years. Red fox control in selected areas, in order to temporarily reduce their breeding population above the tree line, and enable Arctic fox to maintain good breeding territories. This would also improve the chances for the feeding programme to be successful. To raise public awareness, through an information programme, of Arctic fox biology and the need to conserve the species, so as to increase public co-operation in protecting the breeding habitats of the target species. Results The project managed to stem the declining trend of the Fennoscandian population of Arctic fox, but did not achieve the objective of doubling the population during the project period The population estimate, by end of 2002, was a total of 80 adult individuals, 70 in Sweden and 10 in Finland, an indicative increase of 10 compared to the 1997 estimate. The reasons for this outcome are complex. The main measures, i.e. red fox control in order to reduce competition (and even predation) and supplementary feeding, have been studied and it is confirmed that they have probably had a positive effect in terms of increasing the survival rate of the cubs. But, whilst this has prevented the population from crashing even further, it has not been sufficient to increase the numbers as such. On the other hand the population did respond immediately to the small rodent peak in the "fjeld" region of Sweden and Norway during summer When, by September 2000, it was clear that the overall objective to double the population of target species in Finland and Sweden would not be achieved during the project period, the question of re-orientation, such as a captive-breeding programme, came up. Finally the beneficiary decided to proceed with the original activities, but to complement the monitoring programme with an attempt to track as many individuals as possible in order to provide them with radio-transmitters. This would facilitate the monitoring of individual animals and make it possible to shift to a more work-effective individual-based approach. The beneficiary judged that other alternatives, such as initiating a captive-breeding programme, were less urgent or appropriate. Furthermore, previous difficulties to keep a healthy and reproducing Arctic fox population in captivity must first be better understood. The project was continuously in contact with a captive-breeding program initiated in Norway..

3 The experiences gained over the project period led to some adjustments of current methods, rather than any drastic re-orientation: e.g. focusing on individual-based rather than area-based actions. These are being applied during a follow-up project (LIFE03NAT/S/0073), Dissemination and socio-economic aspects: The project got substantial attention in the media, which contributed to a positive image for the target species as well as for the project, and may have contributed to a promotion and wider knowledge of the existence of the LIFE Nature financial instrument. The Finnish project partners in particular, were active with information to the local community, with lectures to the public etc. A total of around 60 persons were involved for longer or shorter periods in the project, either as volunteers or in the beneficiary's or partners' staff. Environmental issues addressed: Themes Species - Mammals Keywords endangered species population dynamics protected area monitoring system emergency plan Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv... Target species Alopex lagopus Natura 2000 sites SCI FI MALLA SCI FI PÖYRISJÄRVEN ERÄMAA SCI FI KÄSIVARREN ERÄMAA SCI FI IITON PALSASUOT SCI FI SAANAN LUONNONSUOJELUALUE SCI FI MUOTKATUNTURIN ERÄMAA

4 SCI FI HANHIJÄNKÄ-PIERKIVAARANJÄNKÄ SCI FI PIERAN MARIN JÄNKÄ SCI FI Kevo SCI FI KALDOAIVIN ERÄMAA SCI FI Paistunturin erämaa SCI FI PULMANKIJÄRVI SCI SE Vålådalen SCI SE Skäckerfjällen SCI SE Svenskådalen SCI SE Frostvikenfjällen SCI SE Gråberget-Hotagsfjällen SCI SE Henvålen-Aloppan SCI SE Hamrafjället SCI SE Gitsfjället SCI SE Marsfjället SCI SE Vindelfjällen SCI SE Sarek SCI SE Padjelanta SCI SE Stora Sjöfallet SCI SE Sjaunja Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners Swedish Environmenal Protection Agency (SEPA) University The Arctic Fox Group at the Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, has worked with Alopex lagopus since It has run a large field research project, the Swedish Arctic Fox Project, which engaged a number of competent and experienced volunteers for field work. The field work and experience of the Swedish Arctic Fox Project form the basis of the operational strategy in the Swedish action plan for the target species, and for the LIFE Nature project. The Arctic Fox Group has also established good contacts with Sami (Lapps) and other local communities in the mountain regions, as well as with several NGOs and media. Finnish Ministry of Environment Finnish Forest Research Centre (METLA) Metsähallitus - Finnish Park and Forest Service (Northern Lapland District) Länsstyrelsen i Jämtlands län (Jämtland County Administrative Board) Länsstyrelsen i Västerbottens län (Västerbotten County Administrative Board) Länsstyrelsen i

5 Norrbottens län (Norrbotten County Administrtaive Board) Naturvårdsverekt (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) WWF-Sweden Svenska Jägareförbundet (Swedish Hunters' Association) Sámediggi/Sametinget(National Sami Court) Svenska Naturskyddsföreningen (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation) Administrative data: Project reference LIFE98 NAT/S/ Duration 01-JUL-1998 to 31-DEC Total budget 550, EU contribution 258, Project location Lappi(Finland Suomi) Mellersta Norrland(Sverige) Övre Norrland(Sverige) Read more: Brochure Brochure Project web site Publication: Book Publication: Management plan Title: Fjällräv - en hotad art Author: Angerbjörn, A. Title: Katoavan naalöin jäljillä Author: Kaikusalo, A. & Henttonen, H. Year: 2002 Editor: WWF-Finland & WSOY No of pages: 24 Project website Title: IUCN Canid Action Plan, chapter entitled "Alopex lagopus, Arctic Fox" Author: MacDonald, D.W & Sillero-Zubiri, C. (eds.) Year: 2003 Editor: IUCN No of pages: 12 Title: Åtgärdsprogram för bevarande av fjällräv (Alopex lagopus) (Action plan for the conservation of Arctic Fox; Alopex laghopus) Author: Löfgren, S et al. Year: 1999 Editor: Naturvårdsverket (SEPA) No of pages: 40 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more