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Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.
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Threats
Persecution by gamekeepers is the main reason that this species became temporarily extinct in England (2). Polecats were declared vermin during the reign of Elizabeth I, and were perceived as bloodthirsty animals (3). Threats continue today in the form of accidental trapping and secondary poisoning with rodenticides (5). Other threats include road deaths, changes in land-use (such as hedge removal), and crossbreeding with feral ferrets (M. p. furo) (6), which threatens the genetic integrity of the species (2).
Conservation
Deliberate trapping of this species is illegal in the UK without a licence (3). Although the polecat seems to be successfully re-establishing, its spread to some areas, such as Scotland and east England will be very slow; further reintroductions may therefore be suitable in some areas (3).
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
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There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
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