A review of the status of the Western polecat Mustela putorius: a neglected and declining species?

• Published in: Mammalia (Paris) Vol. 82; no. 6; pp. 550 - 564
• Main Authors: Croose, Elizabeth, Duckworth, J.W., Ruette, Sandrine, Skumatov, Dmitry V., Kolesnikov, Vyacheslav V., Saveljev, Alexander P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 27.11.2018; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Carnivores; Current distribution; Endangered & extinct species; Environmental degradation; Harvesting; Hybridization; Mustela putorius; Population; Population decline; population status; population trend; Prey; status review; Threatened species; Trends; Western polecat
• ISSN: 0025-1461; 1864-1547
• DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2017-0092

The Western polecat has a widespread European distribution and is currently listed as Least Concern by the . Reports are increasing of polecat population declines in several countries, although a paucity of data means population trends are poorly understood. This paper reviews and summarises information on the polecat’s status and range-wide population trends. Information and opinion were gathered for 34 countries, from individuals and organisations studying polecats and from reviewing the literature and national Red Lists. Where trends were identified, the polecat population is known or suspected to be declining in 20 countries, reported to be stable in five countries, stable or increasing in one country, and increasing in two countries. For many countries, data are so limited in quantity or spatial scale, or at risk of bias, that trends could not be identified or confidence in trend assessments is low. The main drivers of polecat decline are poorly understood, but might include habitat degradation; changes in prey availability; competition with invasive carnivores; poisoning; conflict with human interests; harvesting and killing of polecats; and hybridisation. Robust survey methods and systematic monitoring programmes are urgently needed to gather up-to-date data on polecat population trends across the species’ range.