Arctic Fox Responses to Tourism Activity

Abstract

As the interest for nature-based tourism activities increases, it is important to provide evidence-based guidelines for wildlife-human interactions to minimize the disturbance caused to wildlife. In Fennoscandia, the endangered arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is subject to increasing tourism interest and some regions recommend a minimum approach distance of 300 m, but the guidelines have not been scientifically validated. We conducted experimental human approaches towards arctic fox den sites to study activity and behavioral changes in response to the approaching observer. The first arctic foxes hid when approached within 300 m, but many had increased their vigilance already at the start distance of 500 m. At approximately 200 m, the hiding probability increased rapidly at dens disturbed and undisturbed by tourism activities. Arctic foxes at disturbed dens allowed the observer to approach more closely before they increased their vigilance and before they hid compared to foxes at undisturbed dens. We confirm that a minimum distance of 300 m might be sufficient for most arctic foxes to refrain from hiding, but a longer distance would be required to avoid causing any disturbance. We recommend a minimum approach distance of ≥300 m to be implemented in all Fennoscandian regions inhabited by the arctic fox. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.KEY WORDS arctic fox, human disturbance, human-wildlife interaction, minimum approach distance, nature-based tourism, wildlife tourism.

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites as an indicator of adrenocortical activity in Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and recommendations for future studies

“…In wild Arctic foxes, bolder individuals have been found to tolerate closer approaches by a human observer before rising from lying down and fleeing or hiding, compared to shyer individuals (Choi et al 2019). Higher tolerance to humans has also been seen in foxes inhabiting den sites close to trails and tourist mountain huts (Larm et al 2020b), likely due to habituation. Although it may be difficult to differentiate between boldness and habituation in wild foxes, both could potentially affect adrenocortical responses.…”

Human‐induced behavioural changes of global threatened terrestrial mammals

“…Even when not directly present, human disturbance can induce changes in animal behaviour by altering the conditions under which animals make behavioural decisions through human‐facilitated chemical and sensory pollution (Parks et al, 2011), infrastructural development (Estrada et al, 2017), habitat degradation (Torres et al, 2016), biological invasion (Zapata‐Rios & Branch, 2016) and climate change (Rosenzweig et al, 2008). These diverse human disturbances have been shown to influence different types of behaviour including foraging, movement, habitat selection, social and vigilance (Coleman et al, 2013; Larm et al, 2020; Lehmann et al, 2010; Plante et al, 2018).…”