Occurrence of ingested human litter in winter arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard, Norway



: Hallanger Ingeborg G., Ask Amalie, Fuglei Eva

: 2022

 Environmental Pollution

: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

: ENVIRON POLLUT

:  119099

: 303

: 5

: 0269-7491

: 1873-6424

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119099


The aim of this study is to assess the occurrence of human litter ingested by arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) caught in Svalbard, Norway, in winter when scavenging is at its highest. Twenty arctic fox stomachs and intestines were examined for human litter and plastic using the protocol from the Oslo-Paris Convention (OSPAR) for monitoring plastic ingestion by the northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) (human litter and plastic >1 mm). The arctic foxes had ingested human litter at a low frequency (15%, 3 out of 20 foxes). Despite the low sample size, we do not regard ingestion of human litter as an immediate threat to the arctic fox population in Svalbard.



Last updated on 26/11/2024 02:24:38 PM