DNA research to support Arctic fox conservation

Ranua Wildlife Park supports research conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, where a DNA analysis method is being developed to help identify animal species. The aim is to provide an additional tool for verifying findings. If successful, the method could in the future be used to analyse samples already in the field, speeding up the process of determining whether an animal moving in an area has been an arctic fox or a red fox.

As part of the collaboration, we collected faecal samples, bone fragments and food remains – such as a rat tail – from our arctic foxes and red fox. The samples were carefully packed in minigrip bags and delivered to the researchers, who also collected soil samples from areas where the animals had frequently moved. The wildlife park provides a controlled environment where each sample can be reliably linked to a specific individual and species, which supports the development and testing of the research methods.

The Fennoscandian arctic fox population remains very small. According to Metsähallitus, an estimated 582 adult arctic foxes lived in Fennoscandia in 2024. The arctic fox is still Finland’s most endangered mammal, and conservation actions – such as the annual inspection of more than 200 old den sites and cooperation between neighbouring countries – play a key role in securing the species’ future.