VWTImpactReport28Oct2025PT - Flipbook - Page 20
©Mark Collins
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©Anne Marks
Polecats and Irish stoats
What is VWT’s impact?
Polecats
The European polecat is the only polecat species in
Britain and does not occur in Ireland. Classed as Least
Concern in Britain overall, it remains listed as Endangered
in Scotland as the recovering population has not yet
spread into the northern areas of its former range.
VWT’s National Polecat Surveys indicate that polecats
have spread from their historical stronghold in mid-Wales
and recolonised many areas of lowland Britain. More than
5,000 sightings have been recorded since the surveys
began in the 1990s and it is now more widespread than
at any time during the last 100 years.
The survey results inform our work and provide evidence
for conservation research and actions such as:
• Progress of species recovery
• Potential future need for reintroductions or
reinforcements in the north of the UK
• Distribution and abundance of polecat–ferret hybrids
• Potential threats and limits to polecat recovery,
including landscape change and prey availability,
and exposure to rodenticides.
VOLVeEedDed!
GET IN
N
erience
No Exp
Be part of VWT’s fourth
Citizen Science
National Polecat Survey
Polecat: ©Jane Parsons
Help us 昀椀nd out how polecats
are recovering from their
historical decline.
If you see a polecat,
we would like to hear from you.
www.vwt.org.uk
enquiries@vwt.org.uk
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Vincent Wildlife Trust 50 Years Impact Report 2025
Irish stoats
The Irish stoat, a unique subspecies of stoat, is found
only on the island of Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Although it has been present for at least 12,500 years
and is legally protected, the Irish stoat is one of our
least understood mammals.
From citizen science surveys, 816 validated stoat sightings
have been mapped across Ireland giving a picture of
stoat presence. Statistical, ecological and habitat
suitability models applied to the results allow us to better
understand not just where stoats are found, but also
where they might be present but have gone undetected
due to survey limitations. The use of citizen science,
paired with robust ecological modelling, is helping us 昀椀ll
in key knowledge gaps about the Irish stoat. The survey
has also helped to raise the pro昀椀le of this charismatic
species and improve public mustelid identi昀椀cation skills.
