Polecat
Mustela Putorius
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Status:
The polecat is relatively widespread in Snowdonia, having recovered from near extinction by the First World War. It is a native mustelid, protected on Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (animals which may not be killed or taken by certain methods) and is a UK, Wales and Snowdonia priority Biodiversity Action Plan Species.
Polecats suffered immense persecution by gamekeepers from the mid 1800s until the early 20th century. There was a demand for their fur, with prices increasing as the animals became rarer, but they are also viewed as a pest species. Poor husbandry of poultry and game-rearing may lead to high levels of predation. However, in Snowdonia there has never been much game-rearing and the species managed to persist in the southern areas, whilst becoming extinct in Scotland, England and most of Wales.
Their numbers and range have increased since around 1915 and the species is now present in most of Wales, including the whole of the National Park.
A live-trapping study of polecats at Morfa Dyffryn NNR in 2003 found incredibly high numbers of animals, (a minimum of 11 animals per 1km2), repeated in early 2004. However, regular monitoring on the site since then has only given more moderate numbers, fluctuating between 0 and 3. The British average is 0.9/km2 in winter, so this is still a relatively productive site. The reason for this is likely to be the high numbers of rabbits as prey and their burrows for den sites.