Illustration Rien Poortvliet

Fox management for Black grouse

To protect the last very small population of Black grouse Lyrurus tetrix in the Netherlands, a variety of nature management measures are being taken by the managing authorities involved. Also fox management is being optimized, and followed with evaluating research using GPS-transmitters, amongst other methods.

Commissioned by National Park Sallandse Heuvelrug, Staatsbosbeheer & Natuurmonumenten

Financed by Faunafonds

Pine martens in Brabant

In the province of Noord-Brabant some pine martens Martes martes are released with radio-collars. It is a pilot study for a real reintroduction project in the future. The pine martens become available as orphaned cubs or recovered victims of accidents.  There are no reproducing populations in this province, as a result of geographical isolation by rivers.

Commissioned by: Stichting het Groene Woud

Financed by: Province of Noord-Brabant 

Foto Ruud van den Akker

The raccoon dog in the Netherlands

It is inevitable that the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides will become established in the Netherlands. In cooperation with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) the sightings of this species are recorded and screened. Dead raccoon dogs are being autopsied for diseases and parasites, as well as for ecological data (age, reproduction, etc). For the government a Risk Analysis is being compiled for this species in the Netherlands.

In cooperation with RIVM

Commissioned by the 'Team Invasive Exotic species' of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality

Red fox research in meadow bird areas

In a meadow bird area north of Amsterdam a study was started into the ecology of the foxes living there, in order to optimize (or prevent) fox control. However, due to the resistance of farmers and hunters, this project failed, although the provincial and national authorities supported it and financed it. So only a one-year pilot study was completed, mainly to test the use of GPS-collars.

More

Wild cat in the Ardennes. Picture Paul Voskamp

Wild cats in the Netherlands?

It might be possible that the Wild cat Felis silvestris has reached the southernmost tip of the Netherlands. The populations in the Ardennes (Belgium) and in the Eifel (Germany) are steadily increasing. With technical equipment a systematic search for this elusive cat is undertaken.

Commissioned by the Province of Limburg

Camera traps in the South of Limburg (NL)

How to recognize a wildcat?

Report PDF

Foxes and hamsters

In the south-east of the Netherlands the hamster Cricetus cricetus is reintroduced. As long as the population is still weak, foxes Vulpes vulpes are killed in the hamster-reserves and in a narrow circle around them, in an effort to decrease the predation of hamsters. This form of management is assessed in order to optimize it.

Commissioned by the Wildlife Management Agency Limburg, the Province of Limburg and the Faunafonds

Report pdf (17 MB!)

Pine martens in Brabant

Does the Province of Noord-Brabant (in the south of the Netherlands) have room and habitat for the pine marten Martes martes? This project about the history and present status of the pine marten in the south of the Netherlands and in Belgium, and about the available habitat and its connectivity gives an answer to the question: is the pine marten in need of help, to be able to live in Noord-Brabant? Answer: firstly many habitat improvements and connections are needed, and pine martens might come in from surrounding areas in the next decades. A reintroduction is not advisable, at least not in the first decade.

In cooperation with Ecoplan. Commissioned by the Province of Noord-Brabant

Local fox management for meadow birds

In this project a plan was devised to manage the fox Vulpes vulpes population in and around two areas with meadowbirds (such as bar-tailed godwit Limosa limosa), as a pilot to learn more about effective fox management to protect birds against predation. The plan will however not be executed.

Commissioned by the Province of Noord-Brabant

Pine martens in the Gelderse Vallei

On the basis of a research report on the occurrence of the pine marten Martes martes and on the habitat and landscape in the Gelderse Vallei (in the centre of the Netherlands), a colourful brochure was made, with results and advice for nature managers.

Commissioned by the Dutch Mammal Society VZZ

Brochure PDF

Sheep and foxes

In the Province of Noord-Holland sheep are sometimes (partly) eaten by foxes. Sometimes the sheep are still alive. A study was made of the extent of this problem, of the mechanisms behind it and of the literature. Farmers would call immediately after detecting a dead or dying sheep, and within hours the situation was assessed in the field. This (economically unimportant) problem arises from situations where sheep have become helpless and are scavenged upon, sometimes still alive. Several solutions of the problem were suggested.

The red fox in the dunes

In the last 25 years three large research projects have been conducted into the ecology of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in the coastal dunes of Holland. In this project the results have been compiled and if necessary re-interpreted.

Commissioned by the three Dune Watercompanies 

Symposium ‘Red fox management’

For about one hundred Dutch nature managers and nature policy makers a symposium was organized with presentations (partly by English researchers) on the ecology and impact of foxes, to arrive at an ‘Effective and broadly accepted fox management policy’.

In cooperation with Alterra. Commissioned by the Faunafonds

Workshop ‘Foxtrot’

A workshop with 25 scientists from 7 European countries was organized, to brainstorm on the possibility of an international project on fox Vulpes vulpes management.

In cooperation with Alterra. Commissioned by the three Dune Watercompanies and the Faunafonds

Foxes and the fox tapeworm Echinococcus

In 2003 and 2004 foxes were shot in the south of the Province Limburg (SE-Netherlands) to monitor the infection with the fox tape worm Echinococcus multilocularis. These foxes were autopsied to gather ‘ecological’ data: age, food, condition, reproduction, etc. 

In cooperation with Alterra and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

Summary PDF

Hedgehogs and cars

In 1996 the vast literature on hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus and traffic was analysed and compiled, as a start for field research into the effect of traffic on hedgehog populations.

Employed by the Dutch Mammal Society VZZ, commissioned by the Dutch Public Works Department

Reintroduction of badgers

From 1993 to 1995 badgers Meles meles were released in two areas in the east and north of the Netherlands. The animals were followed by radio-telemetry. Lessons from the experience were formulated to improve the success of future reintroductions.

Employed by Alterra, commissioned by the Ministery of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries

Article PDF

Lynxes in the Netherlands?

The literature about the European Lynx Lynx lynx was compiled and the feasibility of a reintroduction in the Netherlands was assessed; and judged not feasible.

Employed by Natuurmonumenten

Ecology of breeding curlews

From 1982 to 1988 the ecology of curlews Numenius arquata was studied in the Dutch dune area, in a Dutch grassland area and in a Swedish peat bog area.

In cooperation with A.H.Swaan 

Article DPF

Stoats in the Netherlands

Several aspects of the ecology and distribution of the stoat Mustela erminea were studied, as well as its disappearance from the dunes after the arrival of the red fox.

Employed by the University of Leiden 

Article PDF

Picture: Jan van Kam

Waders in Siberia

During a three months lasting expedition to the Taimyr peninsula the density and breeding success of waders was studied.

With the institute of Alterra

How to monitor foxes?

All methods to monitor the number of foxes Vulpes vulpes were briefly analysed from the literature and their usefulness for the province of Noord-Holland was judged.

Employed by the Dutch Mammal Society, commissioned by the Province of Noord-Holland

Fox research in the dunes

From 1979-1984 the fox Vulpes vulpes population in the coastal dunes near Castricum was studied, as well as their impact on curlews Numenius arquata and pheasants Phasianus colchicus. 

Employed by the North Holland Dune Watercompany

Article 1979 PDF  

Article 1995 PDF

From 1997 to 2000 the fox population in the coastal dunes near The Hague was studied.

Employed by the South Holland Dune Watercompany

Summary