Grzegorz Kopij

 Spatial and temporal changes in distribution and abundance of the European polecat Mustela putorius in SW Poland during the years 1980–2020

Abstract Using the hunting bags data, spatial and temporal changes in the population densities of the European polecat (Mustela putorius) in SW Poland (29 358 km², including 8411 km² forests) during the years 1981–2020 have been analyzed. Both hunting bags statistics and estimations generated by hunting clubs indicate a sharp increase in the numbers of polecats between 1997 and 2003. However, in the subsequent years, a decline was noticeable in Wrocław, Wałbrzych and Opole hunting regions, while in Legnica and Jelenia Góra hunting regions the population growth levelled off. The population density of the polecat ranged from 0.01 to 0.17 animals per 1000 ha in particular ecoregions in SW Poland. From 1981 to 2010, the number of harvested polecats was slowly but steadily increasing in SW Poland. The increase was very sharp in 2001–2003. However, since 2011, the harvest began to slightly decline. The number of harvested polecats (per one hunting season) in 2001–2020 was lower than that recorded at the end of the 19th century by an order of magnitude. The hunting bag analysis reflects rather poorly the actual population size, as it contains data on the number of shot animals, not those that are alive. However, if hunting bag data are collected by the same methods over several years, they might be used to calculate relative differences of numbers in time and space. In such case, it is however important to keep in mind that bags may reflect population trends as much as shooting efforts. By assuming that the effort was constant over the years 1980–2020 in the present study, the recorded population trend is fairly reliable. The following conservation measures should be considered: raising public awareness, preservation and restoration of suitable habitats, establishment of ecological corridors and reduction of rodenticide use. Mitigation measures should be implemented to reduce road collisions, while trap use in predator control should be abolished. The polecat should be considered for partial legal protection in the whole of Poland.

Doi https://doi.org/10.35513/21658005.2024.2.1

Keywords wildlife management; hunting bags; population dynamics

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