A domesticated relative of the European polecat, kept as a pet and sometimes found feral in the Maltese countryside.
In Malta, in-nemes refers to the domestic ferret, scientifically known as Mustela furo or Mustela putorius furo. Although it is domesticated, some ferrets in Malta live freely in the countryside after escaping or being released; these should be described as feral, not as a native Maltese wild species. Historical Maltese sources associate them with fields, scrub and areas near human settlements, where they hunt mainly at night.
Feral nemes may be locally established in some places, but reliable information on their population size and distribution in Malta is limited. It is therefore more accurate to say that Malta has free-living or feral nemes, rather than claim that the island has a native wild ferret population.
The nemes is not an official Maltese national species or national symbol. It is also not assessed as a threatened wild species on the IUCN Red List because the domestic ferret is a domesticated form, rather than a naturally occurring Maltese wildlife species.
Its status in Malta is best described as:
• Species: Domestic ferret, Mustela furo / Mustela putorius furo. • Maltese name: Nemes. • Occurrence in Malta: Domestic and feral individuals; introduced, not native. • IUCN status: Not assessed as a threatened wild species. • National status: Not an official national species or symbol. • Management concern: Individual ferrets living wild should be monitored because introduced carnivores can affect native wildlife.
Threats
Threats The main threats facing nemes in Malta are connected with both human activity and their release into the wild: • Road traffic, land development and persecution can kill free-living animals. • Abandoned or released pets may suffer from hunger, disease, overheating and injury. • Feral ferrets can prey on native animals, including ground-dwelling birds, reptiles, small mammals and other wildlife; introduced ferrets are known to threaten native prey in some countries.[iucngisd +1] • They may compete with Malta’s native weasel, il-ballottra (Mustela nivalis), although the scale of this interaction in Malta requires further study.[naturetrustmalta] • Uncontrolled breeding could increase their ecological impact, and ferrets can potentially carry or transmit diseases.[iucngisd] These risks do not mean that every nemes seen outdoors is invasive or dangerous. They do mean that Malta needs better records, humane management and responsible ownership.
How to help
People can help by: • Never releasing a pet nemes into the countryside. • Keeping domestic ferrets securely contained and preventing escape. • Providing veterinary care, identification and neutering where appropriate. • Reporting sightings of groups, repeated breeding or injured animals to the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) or a recognised wildlife rescue organisation. • Not feeding, trapping, poisoning or killing feral animals independently. • Supporting surveys that record where free-living nemes occur and whether they are affecting native wildlife. ERA advises that the presence and extent of invasive alien species can be reported to the Authority; this is particularly useful when sightings involve repeated animals or a possible breeding population
