Norway’s arctic fox rebound appears to be pulling the predator back from the verge f extinction. It is also proving the value of innovative conservation efforts, according to recent reports.
Vulpes lagopus was almost extinct 20 years ago. Numbers were under 100 and falling. Today there are an estimated 300 of the foxes. An exciting increase but about 10 percent of what conservationists hope for.
Norwegian conservationists began a captive breeding program. Reared arctic foxes are released into the wild. So far the plan is working. Feeding stations also help. Dog food can tide the foxes over in times of scarcity and when lemming populations are low.
Vulpes Vulpes crucigera or the European red fox is the principal enemy. An arctic fox is about the size of a cat and not a match for its aggressive cousin.
Lemmings, Lemmus lemmus are small highly social rodents found in the Arctic. Many people believe they commit mass suicides by jumping off cliffs.. That is a myth propagated by a Walt Disney documentary titled white wilderness.