Arctic Fox Centre — Attraction in Westfjords

This place is a tourist trap. It cost $24 USD for two people and paying is the ONLY interaction we had with anyone. You walk yourself through a little area with some models of the foxes (taxidermy) which was cool and then go upstairs where you play yourself a video. We didn’t play the video because why? Why is there absolutely zero effort put into showing what this place is about or what they supposedly do? What is my insane ticket price going toward?

From there you’re told to walk outside and around the back. There was one sad little fox in this cage. We were more excited to see a little black and white cat hanging around the corner than the entirety of our time in this “center”.

We spent maybe 15 minutes here, maybe. There were things for sale, some of which I would have gotten had the ticket price not been so astronomically absurd for what this is with no explanation as to why. The lady at the counter seemed to be interested in your money rather than excitement about helping foxes. She does stare at you A LOT and it did make us uncomfortable.

We’ve been to four other conservation centers in four different countries, one of which was in South Africa. The level of effort put into showing you what they do and how you’re helping them do it was incredible. Maybe the arctic fox center truly does amazing things, but in my opinion, they know tourists want to see an arctic fox and that’s all they need to say to get you...

This was such an educational and compassionate stop. I was a little apprehensive after reading the reviews, but this turned out to be an incredible exhibit. The woman who set it up does arctic fox research and has sourced all of her specimens from already deceased foxes. The intro video revealed a lot about current legislation (prohibits release of foxes that are raised by humans i.e. orphan rehabilitation) and its effects on the Icelandic artic fox population that I did not know or understand - it is slightly graphic, as it is research based and for education. A phenomenal exhibit allows for understanding of sizes, ailments, breeding and nesting habits, etc., and why caring about the artic fox population is so important and also why it is deemed acceptable, and federally encouraged in some cases, to reduce this population. The two residents were very happy to nap in the sun while I said hi to them, and seem to live a quite spoiled...

I am torn between giving it 3 or 4 stars,this is because I am a firm believer that conservationism is part of our duty, but what this centre is explaining it feels like it is focused in the hunting part of it. Of course you have information about the arctic fox but it feels super outdated, the format I mean. In essence it is just text and small images, I would recommend try to refurbish the informative part, with some interactive areas and maybe more kid focused. Try to make an enjoyable experience where you can learn about the arctic fox and the icelanders relationship with the animal. I think you will enjoy seeing the foxes but they are in a bit of a small enclosure, maybe try to expand it a bit. The centre really needs ª refurbishment and reminder it feels focused on the history of the fox hunting than...