Presence of the European polecat, Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Mustelidae), in Aspromonte National Park, Italy

Abstract

In the recent past, the presence of the European polecat, Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Mustelidae), in the Aspromonte National Park (Italy) appears to be uncertain due to the lack of objective data and specific studies. In 2017-2018, the Park Authority carried out a project to monitor seven species of mesocarnivores whose status is poorly known even at the local level. Monitoring was performed by means of camera trapping, a technique particularly suitable for the detection of very elusive species. During the second year of activity, the presence of the European polecat was recorded in two different areas of the northeastern side of Aspromonte National Park, the southernmost part of its Italian distribution.