DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED CARNIVORES IN LATVIA

Abstract

The present status of 11 small and medium-sized carnivores found in Latvia was estimated as part of the Latvian and European mammal atlas work. The main sources of information for the period since 1970 were questionnaires to amateur mammal observers and game statistics of the Latvian Forest Service. Data on estimated numbers and annual kill were available for game species-racoon dog (Nyctereutesprocyonoides Gray), red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), European badger {Meies meles L.), pine marten {Martes martes L.), polecat {Mustela putorius L.), American mink {Mustela vison Briss.) — and for non-game species that are caught as bycatches, especially otter (Lutra lutra L.). For these the population trends since 1920 were estimated. The reliability of game statistics is evaluated. The main factors influencing the status of the populations are suggested to be hunting, interspecific competition and habitat destruction. Four of the species, i.e. otter, stone marten {Martes foina Erxl.), stoat {Mustela erminea L.) and European mink {Mustela lutreola L.), are included in the up-dated Red Data list 1992, but the European mink is the only highly endangered species in Latvia at present.