– They stayed for a long time near a arctic fox den to take pictures of arctic foxes. It was considered to be deliberate and so gross that they were reported, says Tord Bretten in the Statens naturoppsyn (SNO). It was at the end of June that SNO discovered a tent that had been set up by two foreign nature photographers on Dovrefjell. Tord Bretten in SNO. Here with a musk that was felled legally on Dovrefjell in 2019. Photo: Even Lusæter / news The tent was set up only 40 meters from the den in question, which according to SNO is an important and active den in the area. Settling down so close is a clear disturbance to the animals, says Bretten, which is prohibited according to the Regulation on arctic foxes. This was adopted in 2015 as part of an attempt to save the endangered species. A number of measures have been carried out in recent years to increase the arctic fox population. Photo: Roger Brendhagen Weak populations According to a supervisor from the Norwegian Environment Agency, you should keep at least 300 meters away from arctic foxes, especially during the breeding season. – In a den with puppies, the parents will hunt intensely to get food for the puppies. But if they are disturbed, they cannot go hunting, because then they have to look after the puppies, he says. – The population is weak and repeated disturbances can have major consequences. In the worst case, you can risk the extinction of a species. The arctic fox population has increased in recent years, but it is still red-listed. Therefore, one would like to see even more of the young arctic foxes. Photo: Roger Brendhagen Obviously you can’t blame someone who unwittingly comes across a den, emphasizes Bretten, but it is how you choose to act around the den that is important. – You must withdraw and leave the animals alone. How to avoid disturbing arctic foxes? Avoid den areas, especially from mid-May to mid-July when the puppies are particularly vulnerable. People on foot should keep a distance to the caves of at least 300 metres, and increase it in open and flat terrain. The distance should be increased if there are several people in the group. Be aware of changes in the fox’s behaviour. If the foxes interrupt ongoing activity, observe more or give warning signals, it is a sign that they have been disturbed. Fleeing is the last resort for the foxes, who may be disturbed long before they flee. If you inadvertently enter a den area with puppies, you should retreat quietly and calmly back the way you came. If you are a group of several people, retreat together. Source: The Norwegian Environment Agency – Someone is tailgating The photographers were fined NOK 8,000 by the police, a fine they have adopted. – The vast majority of nature photographers do what they should, but some give up. Then it’s okay that there are reactions, said police officer John Magne Skaalgaard to Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen after the fine. According to the police at Dombås police station, there have been a few cases in recent years where nature photographers in particular have gone too close to the cave, but this is the first time it has resulted in a citation. It’s easy to get excited when you see a mountain fox, but you have to be careful not to get carried away. Photo: Roger Brendhagen Fears large dark figures Tord Bretten in SNO is concerned about what he believes is a recurring problem. He can often see pictures on social media that have been taken at mountain fox hunting, and fears that the figures for illegal traffic are high. – Unfortunately, it is not often that we are able to detect such illegal actions. There are many mountain ridges and large mountains. The head of Norwegian Nature Photographers, Roger Brendhagen, has also observed that some people can be too close. – The two foreign tourists who were fined on Dovrefjell had pitched their tent, so to speak, on top of the mountain ridge. We see that quite often, that foreign photographers come to Norway and want the most for their money, he says. Roger Brendhagen is a leader in Norske Naturfotografer, in addition to being a guide at Dovrefjell. Photo: Jo Stenersen Close with a selfie stick Brendhagen, who also works as a guide for nature photographers at Dovrefjell, says that there are strict rules for the distance to the animals. – For musk, for example, we have a limit of 200 metres, he says. – And should you come across a arctic fox habitat, then you should be happy, go back slowly again, and possibly take pictures from an appropriate distance. On Dovrefjell you will find wild muskox. This is also a species you should keep your distance from. Photo: Roger Brendhagen Brendhagen believes that most people manage to behave and relate to animals in a good way, but at the same time there are a number of examples of people who do not. – I relatively often see people with selfie sticks who want to get as close as possible to musk. Serious accidents have happened before, and will happen again. He therefore does not believe that the stupidest thing would be to look to other countries, such as India, where there are opening hours and regulated entrance to national parks. But the most important thing is that each individual takes responsibility. – It is not dangerous to travel in nature, as long as you have good knowledge. And if you don’t have knowledge, you seek it out. There are currently between 263 and 320 adult mountain foxes in Norwegian nature. Photo: Roger Brendhagen
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SNO worried about constant disturbance of arctic foxes – photographers reported for having their tent close to a den – news Trøndelag
