A hundred years ago, the Arctic fox was a common species in Lapland. However, the species was hunted so effectively during the early 20th century that its populations decreased rapidly. The Arctic fox was determined a legally protected species in the year 1940. However, this has not been enough to revive the Arctic fox population in Lapland. It is still considered a critically endangered species, and it is the most endangered mammal species in Finland.

The reasons for the unsuccesfull recovery of the Arctic fox have puzzled scientists and conservationists alike. Although the habitats of the Arctic fox have grown smaller because of global warming, this is not enough to explain why the species continues to remain endangered. Other explaining factors include the worsening food situation in the tundra and the distribution of the red fox into Lapland. 

There are approximately 200 Arctic foxes living in Lapland today, most of which live in Sweden. Without creative and succesfull conservation efforts, it may well be possible that the Arctic fox is doomed to become extinct in the wild.