Pictured: Arctic foxes released into wild amid climate change concerns
The programme has proven a success so far but concerns remain that the animals cannot be supported in a changing environment long-term
![A male white Arctic fox is pictured inside a wooden box as it arrives at an enclosure run by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) near the municipality of Oppdal.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563555_17092052570720_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqg58yuXR8ukYSt7gpeOAkL5gojZYlP8f0i9h2tPqCNsM.jpeg?imwidth=160)
Norway has sponsored an Arctic fox breeding programme for nearly 20 years in an effort to boost species numbers across the Nordic region. Since its introduction, the programme has increased population size from as few as 40 foxes in Norway, Finland, and Sweden to around 550 across Scandinavia today.
The foxes are bred in captivity and then released in Hardangervidda National Park, with this male white fox being transported to its new home in a wooden crate.��
Image: 1 of 9
Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![Conservation biologists and park rangers release two Arctic foxes into the wild near the municipality of Geilo in Norway.The blue and white variations of the fox species were set free at Hardangervidda National Park.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563562_17092063511930_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqiUwvyZq1vQpOgMg19u7eHaPnkjTuwAx-fSZknDCMDkA.jpeg?imwidth=160)
But with the foxes’ Arctic Norwegian habitat warming roughly four times faster than the rest of the world, there are concerns over the animals’ survival.
Conservation biologists and park rangers are photographed here releasing two Arctic foxes into the wild near the municipality of Geilo in Norway.
The blue and white variations of the fox species were set free at Hardangervidda National Park into an enclosure run by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).
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Credit: CRAIG JACKSON
Source: via REUTERS
![Two white Arctic fox pups play inside their enclosure at the captive breeding station near Oppdal in Norway.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563344_17092070403840_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqsXJ4x1hHApqw7ff8y1ZSzW9SclC6xq0nFwIhGI978y4.jpeg?imwidth=160)
Two white Arctic fox pups play inside their enclosure at the captive breeding station near Oppdal in Norway.
Scientists are breeding the pups in captivity before releasing them into the national park, where more than 30 feeding stations dispensing dog food kibble have been set up. The team behind the programme said the park has not had a good lemming year since 2021, making the stations necessary for the foxes’ survival.
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Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![A blue Arctic fox receives parasite medication via a pipette during a medical check-up by the breeding programme's veterinarians.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563323_17092071373030_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqIUD7FIZYZVCRioTuXLO_o6Aezwuvexs_ues-aCB_TCg.jpeg?imwidth=160)
A senior advisor from the Norwegian Environment Agency said: “Without these conservation measures, the Arctic fox would surely have become extinct in Norway.”
But while some scientists have argued the feeding programme is vital to prevent extinction, others have questioned the ethics behind sustaining animals in environments that no longer support them.
A blue Arctic fox is shown here receiving parasite medication via a pipette during a medical check-up by the programme’s veterinarians.
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Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![A member of the conservation team carries a ladder through thick snow at the Arctic Fox Captive Breeding Station near Oppdal.Arctic foxes are well adapted to living in freezing conditions, preferring tundra habitats, such as those found in the polar regions.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563619_17092125725650_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqwMJYxftKZExwjop9hyNEmQEwTyzLMKRxDe4NUIzb66I.jpeg?imwidth=160)
Arctic foxes are well adapted to living in freezing conditions and prefer tundra habitats, such as those found in the polar regions.
Shown here is a member of the conservation team carrying a ladder through thick snow at the Arctic Fox Captive Breeding Station near Oppdal.
But scientists have warned that climate change has made their survival more precarious, with warming temperatures causing precipitation to fall as rain rather than snow.
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Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![A female white Arctic fox is photographed playing in one of the enclosures after mating.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563465_17092130028680_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqdNLuJDSj-bduoIdVkVeVweke0g5LxqQrTg40OKSSYjc.jpeg?imwidth=160)
Feeding the animals to ensure their survival - a controversial practice known as “supplementary feeding” - costs around £235,000 a year, but the repopulation initiative has proven to be a success in the region so far.
This female white Arctic fox is pictured playing in one of the enclosures after mating.
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Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![A thermographic camera is used to take images of a white Arctic fox pup during a medical check-up at the breeding station.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563336_17092133737990_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq8Asj1eHb3tSpQqwok7bWe_W2t6tVLWGWXugsV7MVI9Q.jpeg?imwidth=160)
Thermographic cameras are used during the foxes’ medical check-ups to ensure the animals are developing normally and free of illnesses and infections.
The Norwegian government has spent around £13 million on the breeding and release programme since its introduction in 2006, equating to roughly £29,000 per animal.
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Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![A white Arctic fox is lifted into a wooden transport box as it prepares for its approximately 500 kilometres trip south to Oppdal, Norway, where it will be released into the wild.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563561_17092133833780_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=160)
A white Arctic fox is lifted into a wooden transport box as it prepares for its approximately 500 kilometres trip south to Oppdal, Norway, where it will be released into the wild.
Image: 8 of 9
Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS
![This white Arctic Fox pup received parasite medication during a medical assessment at the Norwegian breeding station.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/02/29/TELEMMGLPICT000368563321_17092133952240_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqc3IxSbjMmXltPISQXxZkAKCFjM66479QldWRZZliqmY.jpeg?imwidth=160)
Some of the released foxes have crossed over the Swedish and Finnish borders, with Finland seeing the birth of its first wild Arctic fox litter since 1996.
While current numbers sit at 550, the programme has an end goal of reaching 2,000 foxes in the Scandinavian region. Scientists have said this is the maximum population size that the park could naturally sustain in low-rodent years.
A white Arctic Fox pup is pictured here receiving parasite medication during a medical assessment at the Norwegian breeding station.
Image: 9 of 9
Credit: Lisi Niesner
Source: REUTERS