Recent history, current status, conservation and management of native mammalian carnivore species in Great Britain

Henry Schofield,Elizabeth Croose,Richard F Shore,Katherine A Sainsbury,Ruairidh D Campbell,Robbie A Mcdonald

doi:10.1111/mam.12150

Abstract

Abstract After historical declines in population sizes and ranges, we compare and contrast the recent history and contemporary variation in the status of Great Britain's eight native mammalian carnivore species from the 1960s to 2017. Wildcat Felis silvestris conservation status is unfavourable and is masked by hybridisation with domestic cats Felis catus. Red foxes Vulpes vulpes remain widespread but are currently declining. European otter Lutra lutra, European pine marten Martes martes and European polecat Mustela putorius populations are characterised by rapid recovery. Otters have almost completely recolonised Great Britain, polecats have expanded their range throughout southern Britain from refugia in Wales and pine martens have expanded their range from the Scottish Highlands. European badgers Meles meles have generally increased in population density. Status assessments of stoats Mustela erminea and weasels Mustela nivalis are data‐deficient but available evidence suggests that stoats may have increased while weasels may have declined. Anthropogenic processes influencing carnivore status include legal protections, habitat quality, reintroductions, predator control, pollutants, hybridisation and diseases and their associated control practices. Population effects of contaminants, such as anticoagulant rodenticides, remain poorly characterised. The widespread interface with domestic and feral cats makes the wildcat's situation precarious. Recent declines in rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus populations are a concern, given that several carnivore species depend on them as food. We conclude that, with the exception of the wildcat, the status of Great Britain's mammalian carnivores has markedly improved since the 1960s. Better understanding of the social aspects of interactions between humans and expanding predator populations is needed if conflict is to be avoided and long‐term co‐existence with people is to be possible.

Highlights

Eight species of terrestrial mammalian carnivore are native to, and extant in, GreatBritain: wildcat Felis silvestris, red fox Vulpes vulpes, European otter Lutra lutra, European badger Meles meles, European pine marten Martes martes, stoat Mustela erminea, weasel Mustela nivalis and European polecat Mustela putorius
The advent of World War I, cessation of sporting activities and the loss of a generation of gamekeepers led to a reduction in predator control
We review processes that affect carnivores, positively and negatively

Summary

Introduction

Britain (defined here as England, Scotland, Wales and their islands): wildcat Felis silvestris, red fox Vulpes vulpes, European otter Lutra lutra, European badger Meles meles, European pine marten Martes martes, stoat Mustela erminea, weasel Mustela nivalis and European polecat Mustela putorius. Since their arrival 5000–20000 years ago (Montgomery et al 2014), they have had mixed fortunes, depending in part on whether they were reviled as vermin, used for sport, valued for fur, appreciated as rodentcatchers, or combinations thereof during their shared histories with humans (Lovegrove 2007). The advent of World War I, cessation of sporting activities and the loss of a generation of gamekeepers led to a reduction in predator control

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