Two new Arctic fox dens have been discovered in Finnish Lapland, adding nine new pups to the critically endangered species. This brings the total number of Arctic fox pups born in Finland this summer to 25.
According to the wildlife management agency Metsähallitus, this is positive news for the critically endangered Arctic fox. One of the dens, located near the Enontekiö mountains, is in the same place where a fox den was found last year for the first time in 25 years. A total of 16 cubs were found in the two new dens, bringing the total for all this year's litters to 25 Arctic fox cubs.
– We had also observed these nests for a long time, but it was only a few days ago that the wildlife camera images we received revealed the cubs to us, says nature conservation expert Tuomo Ollila in a press release from the Finnish Wildlife Agency, according to Finnish state channel Yle.
Both WWF and Metsähallitus have been running feeding stations in the mountain areas to support the survival of Arctic fox cubs and also help the adults to stay in the region, even when natural food availability is low.
Petteri Tolvanen, Program Director of WWF's Finnish branch, says the new discovery confirms that the Arctic fox is making a comeback in Finland.
– However, conservation efforts must continue in order to build on this positive development, he says.
The species is one of the oldest mammalian species on the Scandinavian peninsula, along with reindeer and arctic chamois. It is found in Siberia, Canada, Alaska and Greenland. In Scandinavia, it is mainly found in mountainous areas. It is critically endangered in Sweden and critically endangered in Finland.
Arctic foxes are monogamous and sometimes pups can stay with their parents for a year, and sometimes two Arctic fox families can live together in the same den.
The animals are largely scavengers and eat what they find. The color of their fur can be either white in winter and brown in summer or blue-black all year round.
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A large proportion of staff at Finnish Swedish-speaking daycare centers feel that the environment is unsafe for children. Staff shortages are identified as the main issue.
In April 2025, Finnish public broadcaster Yle sent out a survey to over a thousand employees in early childhood education in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kyrkslätt, and Kauniainen. A total of 324 people responded to the survey.
The results show that six out of ten employees feel that the environment is physically or emotionally unsafe for children. Staff shortages are identified as the recurring problem. Nearly 200 people describe in their open-ended responses situations where too few adults are responsible for too many children.
— Staff have been replaced in quite a short time, in several groups. It affects the children's safety and well-being greatly, says Marika, who works at a daycare center, to Yle.
Early morning hours and late afternoons are particularly critical. Marika reports that on one occasion she was solely responsible for thirteen children under three years old. According to Finnish law, there must be at least one qualified person per maximum of four children under three years old. However, by calculating an average for the entire day, daycare centers can meet the requirement statistically.
Only one-third of all respondents believe they will still be working at the same daycare center in five years.
Jenni Tirronen, head of early childhood education in Helsinki, confirms that burnout is a major problem.
— We are naturally very concerned about the burnout. Our own staff survey shows that approximately 60 percent of our employees feel that they do not recover sufficiently after the workday, says Tirronen.
An increasing number of Finns are filing police reports against individual officers. Over 1,100 reports have already been filed this year – several hundred more than during all of last year.
The figures come from the Finnish newspaper group Uutissuomalainen. These are reports filed against individual police officers for suspected official misconduct, not complaints against the police authority as an organization.
Markus Laine, a police legal advisor at the Police Department in Southwest Finland, explains that the majority of reports stem from general dissatisfaction with police actions.
— It could be, for example, that someone is dissatisfied that a preliminary investigation was never initiated or that it was discontinued. It's also common for someone to feel they were wrongly detained in town, for instance when the person was under the influence, Laine tells Finnish national broadcaster Yle.
Issued fines can also sometimes result in the person fined filing a report against the police.
Despite the high number of reports, only about ten percent lead to prosecution review. Disciplinary actions such as suspension or dismissal are rare and involve only a few cases per year.
According to the Finnish Police Barometer, public trust in the police stands at 92 percent. However, certain groups deviate significantly from the average. Victims of sexual crimes or intimate partner violence, people subjected to human trafficking, and sexual minorities show considerably lower trust figures.
When winter darkness descends over the Nordic region, it's not just people who are affected – but also our houseplants. However, for those who choose wisely, there are plants that manage excellently in dark conditions.
The darkest time of the year is now beginning, which can mean more challenges for plant enthusiasts. Many houseplants require their fair share of sunlight, something that's in short supply during the Swedish winter.
It's good to give your houseplants some extra thought during winter. Among other things, you should avoid fertilizing spring and summer flowering plants because they need to rest during the dark period. However, foliage plants can receive their dose of nutrients now and then. Feel free to move the pots when it's time to air the room, as they dislike cold drafts.
Plant lighting can sometimes be preferable in winter, depending on how much light you can offer the plants and of course what type of plant it is. Some plants also benefit from a shower with a water spray to maintain humidity.
Having plants at home has numerous health benefits, including helping to purify the air of harmful substances and reducing stress. For those who want to avoid expensive plant lighting, worry, or simply want easy-care plants, there are quite a few that tolerate some darkness, as reported by Land.se, a Swedish gardening publication.
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Photo: Yazid N/Unsplash
Easy-care is definitely a word to describe the golden pothos. It grows quickly, is rarely attacked by pests, and has survival instincts in winter. Not only that – it can also reduce levels of chemical gases indoors. The plant sap can be irritating, so it should be kept at a safe distance from children, dogs, and cats.
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
Photo: In Memoriam: Andy / Andrew Fogg/CC BY 2.0
This tropical tree prefers no drafts and not too much sun, but has low light requirements. Don't forget watering – the weeping fig becomes unhappy if you do.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Montage. Photo: Outi Marjaana, Elena Golovchenko/Pexels
This beautiful plant is known for its ability to purify air of harmful substances, something that NASA, among others, has researched. In that study, they concluded that the plant can reduce the toxic substance benzene by as much as 79.5 percent in just 24 hours.
In another study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham, three common houseplants were tested, including the peace lily, to see if they could help remove air pollutants in the home. All three plants proved effective against air pollutants, removing about half of the nitrogen dioxide they were exposed to – in just one hour.
The peace lily is easy to care for and can tolerate dark conditions. The plant can bloom year-round, but if it stands in too much darkness, flowers may naturally be absent until spring.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Montage. Photo: WeFt, feey/CC BY-SA 3.0
This green, stately plant is actually called zamioculcas, and in Sweden often goes by the name "garderobsblomma" (closet flower) – because it can be kept anywhere, even in a closet. It tolerates both bright and dark conditions as well as different temperatures, simply adapting to its surroundings.
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Photo: Olha Ruskykh/Pexels
In the past, it was common for these plants to be passed down from generation to generation – that's how resilient the snake plant is. It's also perfect for those who don't have much time to care for their plants, as it doesn't require much water. Rather, you should be careful not to overwater it. It tolerates both sunlight and shade, but the leaf colors may change depending on light levels. This plant is also excellent at purifying air.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Photo: Lucie Hošová/Unsplash
Despite its African origin, this plant is exceptionally suitable for the Nordic climate. It can tolerate temperatures from 30 degrees Celsius down to zero. It also stores water in its leaves and stem, so you shouldn't water too much.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Photo: Ravi Kant/Pexels
This plant is also known for absorbing harmful substances from the air, but is also an excellent humidifier. It doesn't make great demands on its caretaker but is both resilient and rarely complains. It's best if it can remain at room temperature year-round.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT's nature program helps millions of viewers relax and feel connected to nature – despite the experience being digital, shows a study from SLU.
The Great Moose Migration is a program that annually livestreams the spring migration of moose in Kullberg in Ångermanland, northern Sweden. For 20 days, viewers follow the moose as they travel through forests and swim across the Ångerman River. The program attracts millions of Swedes each year, as well as viewers in other countries.
Now researchers at SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) have examined how viewers are affected by the moose program. Through surveys distributed via social media and the program's live chat, over 2,000 people have described their experiences. The results, published in the journal People and Nature, show that the program creates a strong sense of calm and connection to nature.
— Viewers describe how the sound of wind, birds, and rain gives a feeling of presence, and how the slow rhythm of the broadcast helps them unwind. Many experience that the program reminds them of childhood memories, previous nature experiences, or places they have a personal connection to, says researcher Minh-Xuan Truong in a press release.
Relieves anxiety
The program is a typical example of so-called "slow TV", where viewers simply follow the moose at nature's pace without any narrator, quick cuts, or dramatic music.
What makes the experience so realistic is primarily the natural sounds. The river's murmur, birdsong, and the whisper of wind create a feeling of actually being at the location. Some viewers even reported that they could smell the rain or pine forest.
The fact that the program is unedited is also appreciated. Sometimes animals are visible, sometimes not – just like when hiking in the forest in real life.
The study shows that the silence, slow images, and nature's beauty function as a break from everyday stress. Several participants in the survey described how the program relieves headaches and anxiety, while others emphasized the calming effect of seeing animals in their natural environment.
Does not replace real nature experiences
Viewers generally report feeling a strong connection to nature. The feeling was particularly pronounced among people who frequently spend time outdoors and are environmentally engaged. The connection to nature also tended to increase with age. The live chat during the program is also appreciated, as many experience that it creates a sense of community.
The researchers emphasize that digital nature experiences can never replace being outside yourself, but that they can function as an important complement.
— Digital outdoor life seems to be able to promote recovery and connection to nature in a similar way to experiences in actual nature. It can of course never replace real nature experiences, but it can be an important complement, especially for people who have difficulty getting outside, said Truong.
