A young arctic fox named “Wukk” was rescued from illegal private ownership in Lower Austria in late July. According to the animal protection organization Four Paws, the baby animal was kept completely inadequate and authorities eventually took it to the animal shelter in Vösendorf. After four months of breastfeeding and all vaccinations, “Wukk” traveled to Germany on Wednesday, to a nature reserve run by Four Paws.
Since it was kept private, it was not possible to release it back into the wild. “We are very happy for little ‘Wukk’. After he has received all the necessary vaccinations in Vösendorf, nothing stands in the way of his start to a better life,” says Veronika Weissenböck, Four Legs campaign manager.
On July 27, “Wukk” was discovered in private property in Baden district and authorities took it from its owner. In the wildlife park “Tierart” in Germany, the arctic fox “will be given the necessary space to fulfill its needs as a wild animal”. There are also other foxes in the facility.
The illegal wildlife trade is booming
Privately keeping wild animals like “Wukk” is one of many examples of illegal wildlife trade, which is booming anyway and is a multi-billion dollar business worldwide. “It’s not just the animals that suffer. The risk of so-called zoonoses, ie infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa, is increasing enormously as a result of the illegal wildlife trade,” says Weissenböck. The whole of Europe needs much stricter laws and, above all, a positive list that indicates exactly which animal species may also be kept privately.”
Initiative „Pelzfreies Europa“
Arctic foxes are still bred in Europe by the hundreds of thousands each year for their fur. That is why a coalition of animal welfare NGOs launched the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Fur-Free Europe” in May. The aim of the initiative, which also involves Four Paws, is an EU-wide ban on the keeping and killing of fur animals for fur production.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
