Up to the middle of the last century they were reported as common and widespread throughout the British mainland. The advent of game shooting and its management led to a sharp decline in the status of the polecat reducing its population to a small isolated area in mid- Wales. Due to a decline in trapping during the 20th century the polecat population in Britain has increased, It has become more common in Wales and now populates every Welsh county apart from Anglesey, and is starting to re-colonise border counties, including the Cheshire region, where they have not lived since the 1890s. The Cheshire Wildlife Trust is closely monitoring these population expansions. Although Cheshire Wildlife Trust has been monitoring the populations in the Cheshire region for some years the status of the polecat has recently received national interest.
Careful monitoring continues and all recordings on status contribute to a national register.
A county survey of game-keepers is in process in order to monitor attitude and frequency along with liaison with relevant bodies. Corpses of polecats are collected and cause of death diagnosed. All records are used to monitor trends in population. To encourage the natural recolonisation of the polecat in the Cheshire region and to monitor and conserve existing population numbers towards a sustainable population. Raise public awareness via leaflets, posters, etc.