Bulgaria:Europa 2021 - Protected Animals

On 31 May 2021, Bulgarian Post issued its contribution to the 2021 Europa stamp series on the theme Endangered Wildlife, a stamp featuring the Marbled Polecat, a vulnerable species.

Issue Description
Populations of Marbled Polecats are declining in many areas of their range, in which they are already uncommon. Habitat destruction, desertification, and the changing of natural habitat to farmland have led to a large reduction in population size. Human reduction of rodent populations as well as road traffic and hunting are also reducing populations of marbled polecats. Additionally, this species can become infected with ticks and fleas, which is an increasing problem.

Stamps
Marbled Polecat (1.10 лева & 2.30 лева)

The Marbled Polecat has a short muzzle and very large noticeable ears. Black and white markings on the face, with a black stripe across the eyes and white marking around the mouth. The lapel is yellow and heavily mottled with irregular reddish or brown spots.

Conservation status

In 2008, the Marbled Polecat was classified as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30% in the previous 10 years. The decline in Marbled Polecat populations thought to be due to habitat destruction (cultivation) and reduction in available prey by use of rodenticides. Data revealed that from the west to the east, a gradual decrease in morphological diversity was seen in Polecat skulls. Also, the data related to the range formation of the species rather than climate change.

Threats

The Marbled Polecat was once sought for its fur, generally known as "fitch" or more specifically, "perwitsky" in the fur trade.

Sheets
Each of the Full Sheets (not including the Souvenir Sheet) with formatted margins contains five stamps (one design) + vignette.

Booklet
The Booklet contains two sheets - one sheet of each design - of three Stamps + vignette.

The Booklet Stamps are slightly smaller than the regular issue stamps - 28.5 x as opposed to 32.5 x.

EUROPA Series
Other Issues under the EUROPA theme include:

References & Notes
References

Notes