Description
The project led by the Association Chrysalide aims to monitor otter and polecat populations discovered in 2018 and 2019 respectively in the Mercantour. The scientific monitoring of these isolated and still unknown mammals in the Mercantour contributes to assessing the health of both populations, particularly following the damage caused by storm Alex. This work will help define their respective territories more precisely in order to optimise their protection and prove that cohabitation is possible with these species, which until now have been "invisible" and considered "harmful". For instance, as the Roya river is a nationally recognised fishing spot, the discovery of the presence of a permanent otter population demonstrates that otters can contribute to maintaining the river's fish populations. Similarly, the discovery of a polecat population challenges the general perception of polecat presence, considered as a nuisance in most of the departments where it is known to exist. This research is being carried out in partnership with the Mercantour National Park.
