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Suffolk Polecat Survey

The Polecat (Mustela putorius) was pushed to the brink of extinction over 100 years ago. Labelled as probably one of the most hated mammal species, the last survivors retreated to Wales and remote parts of Scotland. Surveys conducted by the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) over the last 23 years however have noted the gradual return of the Polecat to its former ranges and the latest survey for 2014/15 shows a relatively strong presence in Suffolk.

Whilst the VWT survey has now concluded, the Suffolk Mammal Group is keen to continue monitoring Polecat distribution in Suffolk. A major part of this monitoring is the ability to be able to distinguish ‘true’ Polecats from their domesticated cousins, ferrets, with whom they interbreed.

Record a sightingSee all records

 

Polecat survey

Personal details

Please provide your first name

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Enter the recorder's name

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Select the date of the record.

A couple of points for submitting photos:
1) The picture/video freeze frame should ideally include the full body, including paws and a close up of the face.
2) A cautionary safety note that extreme care should be taken when taking photos of RTA's on roads.

More occurrence infomation
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If anyone helped with the identification please enter their name here

Please provide any other information about the record which you think will be useful.

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Provide the name of the site. Do not enter a postal address as the information you provide will be visible to others. Start typing a parish name to use the parish autocomplete function.

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Enter a grid reference

Or simply click on your rough position on the map.


Photos of Polecats by Martin Hancock taken at British Wildlife Centre

Click to download
Identifying polecats Identifying polecats