Arctic foxes are uniquely adapted to polar environments but face severe welfare threats from climate change and competition with expanding red fox populations.
Wild arctic foxes face compounding welfare threats from climate change. Sea ice loss reduces access to marine mammal carcasses that are critical winter food. Expanding red fox range due to warming displaces arctic foxes from optimal habitat. Extreme weather events — particularly rain-on-snow that encases vegetation under ice — cause starvation of both foxes and their prey. The farmed arctic fox population faces severe welfare problems from stereotypic behaviors and inadequate space in wire cage systems. Climate action is the most fundamental welfare intervention for wild arctic foxes.