L'ermellino, che con la progressiva scomparsa del suo habitat rischia di trasformarsi da predatore in preda, è stato scelto da Pro Natura quale animale dell'anno.
Tra le fauci un topolino campagnolo (arvicola terrestris)
Il numero di questi mustelidi, un tempo presenti quasi ovunque in Svizzera, è notevolmente regredito; mancano infatti, soprattutto in pianura, ambienti rurali ben diversificati dove trovare rifugio.
La costruzione di strade, linee ferroviarie e insediamenti di varia natura non riduce solo lo spazio vitale del piccolo mammifero, ma anche delle specie cacciate, soprattutto i topolini che popolano i prati, e, mancando il cibo, l'estinzione è inevitabile, per lo meno a livello locale.
ATS/dg
Per saperne di più: la scheda sull'ermellino di Pro Natura
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