Fat indices of arctic foxes Alopex lagopus in Svalbard

The subnivean lairs of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida) were studied in the Amundsen Gulf and Prince Albert Sound areas from 1971 through 1974. The structure of several different types of lairs are described. The existence of a birth-lair complex consisting of several closely adjacent lairs appears likely. The spacial distribution of lairs and lair types found on refrozen leads and in pressure ridges is described. Lairs were more abundant in inshore ice than in offshore ice. The function of subnivean lairs appears to be to provide thermal shelter, especially for neonate seals, and protection from predation by arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus).

Download Full-text

Fishing Arctic foxes Alopex lagopus on a rocky island in west Greenland

Polar Research ◽

10.3402/polar.v9i2.6793 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 211-213

Author(s):

Sussie Møller Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Alopex Lagopus ◽

West Greenland ◽

Arctic Foxes

Download Full-text

Survey of fox trappers in northern Alaska for rabies antibody

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268800051554 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 113 (1) ◽

pp. 137-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

E. H. Follmann ◽

D. G. Ritter ◽

M. Beller

Keyword(s):

Rabies Virus ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

World Health ◽

Antibody Concentration ◽

Alopex Lagopus ◽

Arctic Foxes ◽

Health Organization ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

Northern Alaska ◽

Rabies Vaccination

SUMMARYThe purpose of this research was to determine whether trappers in northern Alaska acquired immunity to rabies virus from non-bite exposures while trapping and skinning arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus). In coastal Alaska recurring epizootics presumably provide trappers ample opportunity for contact with rabid animals. Serum neutralization analyses of blood samples collected from 26 individuals were conducted. All but three had negative rabies neutralizing antibody levels (< 0·05 I.U./ml). Two of these had previously received rabies vaccine but one individual who had trapped for about 47 years with an estimated harvest of over 3000 foxes and who had never received pre- or post-exposure rabies vaccination had a rabies serum neutralizing antibody concentration of 2·30 I.U./ml. This represents the first report of an unvaccinated person acquiring rabies virus antibody with a titre above the 0·5 I.U./ml level considered acceptable by the World Health Organization.

Download Full-text