Population densities of small carnivores in Finnland

Densities of small carnivores (raccoon dog, red fox, badger) in different game management districts of Finland were estimated on the basis of game bags, radio-tracking and snow-track counts (wildlife triangles).

In southern and central Finland, the density of raccoon dogs is higher than that of foxes or badgers. The density of all three species is higher in southern than in northern Finland. The raccoon dog is, however, most abundant in the south and southeast, the fox in the southwest and the badger in Uusimaa and Häme. Raccoon dogs and badgers do not permanently live in northern Lapland. When the climate is warming, they may widen their distribution area further north.

Differences in population densities between these species are larger in autumn than in spring. The autumn density of raccoon dogs (including the juveniles) is 2.7 times the spring (or adult) density. Fox density doubles from spring to autumn. Badger density increases only slightly during summer, being in autumn 1.4 times the spring density, because reproduction rate of badgers is low compared to that of canids. About 50% of the raccoon dog (autumn) population is hunted each year, the corresponding fi gures for the fox being 40% and for the badger 10–15%.

The hunting bag of raccoon dogs has doubled during the last decade. The badger quarry has also increased, especially in Häme and Keski-Suomi. On the other hand, the bag has decreased in Varsinais-Suomi. The fox bag has been rather stable and the snow-track indices of foxes have decreased in some areas. Fox bags have, however, increased in Pohjanmaa and Keski-Suomi.

More information: kaarina.kauhala@rktl.fi

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