A conservation group has spent the past year studying wild ferrets on the island of Guernsey, a project funded by the government. Lead researcher Leah Cottell described the process as time-consuming but informative, noting that while ferrets were known to be present, little was understood about their behavior or population.
"They seem to like being around water sites because they like eating things like eggs, and so they'll go for the nests of ground-nesting birds," Cottell told BBC Guernsey.
Despite their established presence, ferrets are not native to Guernsey. Cottell explained they are considered an invasive species, likely introduced through the release of domestic ferrets. The animals resemble their wild polecat counterparts, suggesting they may have been present on the island for a significant period, or were released by owners as far back as the 1980s, eventually expanding their population over time.
Analyzing the extensive photographic data gathered during the study will require several more months. Following this analysis, the conservation charity plans to publish a report detailing its findings. The Strategy for Nature funding initiative is currently accepting new applications, with a deadline of October 25 for interested parties.