Rescue of a Marbled Polecat in the Zaporizhzhia Region
A three-month-old marbled polecat—a rare species listed in Ukraine's Red Book—has been saved in the Zaporizhzhia region after being discovered near military trenches. The animal, named Princess, is now under the care of wildlife volunteer Olesya Kulyk. Once initial rehabilitation is complete, she will be transferred to a specialized rescue center in Odesa that focuses on recovering Red-Listed mustelids.
Princess's Condition and Needs
According to Kulyk, people found two cubs near a burrow and initially refrained from intervening, hoping their parents would return. However, one of the cubs later died. The volunteer reports that Princess is currently in stable condition, but a full medical examination is not possible in Zaporizhzhia.
Olesya Kulyk: 'One cub was already dead. The cause is unknown—it could have been anything. One cub survived. Her name is Princess, and she is a female.'
The animal requires specialized housing and a specific diet. 'We ran tests for the most important mustelid diseases. Right now, she feels well. She had ticks, and I removed them. She has only been with me for a few days, and we cannot perform too many procedures because it stresses her,' Kulyk added.
Princess's diet must include mice—currently, she eats frozen mice, but during later rehabilitation, she will transition to live ones.
After initial rehabilitation, Princess will be moved to a specialized center in Odesa. 'They professionally handle mustelids there. By law, animals should be returned to where they were rescued. But due to active hostilities, it is impossible to release her back into the Zaporizhzhia region. So, she will be set free in a safe location,' Kulyk explained.
Today, only about 100 marbled polecats remain in Ukraine. Even before the full-scale war, the species was on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction and steppe plowing. The war has only worsened the situation: constant shelling and military vehicle movements cause severe stress to the animals and negatively impact their reproduction.
This incident underscores the critical need to protect rare animal species during armed conflict, when their natural habitats are under threat. The efforts of wildlife volunteers like Olesya Kulyk are vital for preserving biodiversity in Ukraine, as the marbled polecat population continues to decline. Rescuing Princess is not just a single act of saving one animal—it is part of a broader struggle to conserve endangered species amid war and environmental crises.