Spatio-temporal movement patterns and habitat choice of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) along the Wadden Sea coast

A study tracking red foxes and racoon dogs along the Wadden Sea coast reveals that these predators, despite avoiding farmland, frequently utilize conservation polders during the day and saltmarshes at night. While neither species ventured into high-density bird areas like islands or Halligen, their use of linear structures such as dykes and dams suggests potential access to these critical habitats via mainland connections. Foxes exhibited larger, sex-dependent home ranges (mean 172.2 ha) with minimal territorial overlap, while racoon dogs had smaller ranges (mean 52.8 ha). The research, employing GPS collars on 28 individuals over nearly three years, highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies to mitigate predation pressure on vulnerable wetland bird populations.

Schwemmer, P., Weiel, S., & Garthe, S. (2021). Spatio-temporal movement patterns and habitat choice of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) along the Wadden Sea coast. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 67(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-021-01474-6