Appeal to find stone marten on the loose

Wildlife experts are concerned about the stone marten

Wildlife experts in Jersey have launched an appeal to find a runaway stone marten, which is not native to the island and has allegedly killed a guinea pig.

Found mainly in much of Europe and central Asia, the mammal, also known as a beech marten, is a long way from its natural habitat.

Cris Sellares, from the National Trust for Jersey and a wildlife biologist studying for a PHD on ferrets, warned it could kill more pets.

She said: "It’s not its fault it killed a guinea pig, it’s just its instinct. It’s just in the wrong place and it won’t be happy because it's not in the place it's supposed to be."

The marten was seen leaving the guinea pig's hutch

The government's Natural Environment Department said it was working "in collaboration with local experts to help prevent any harm the animal may cause to our local biodiversity, people or pets".

It has asked people to come forward with information if they think they have seen it.

Ms Sellares said it was “highly unlikely” it arrived in Jersey of its own accord and is likely to have an owner, and even parents, somewhere on the island.

She added: "It has killed a pet guinea pig, it seems relatively tame so it doesn't seem worried by a human environment or people’s gardens.

She said the animal had "walked inside a hutch" and "killed someone's guinea pig", adding: "It could target people's chickens and rabbits, people's small pets and could be a danger to wildlife."

This potential damage was "small", she added, as there "was only one".

The marten has been spotted in gardens across Jersey

Ms Sellares added: "It won't be doing well.

"It will be struggling, it's not in its natural habitat, it cannot find any mates, it's on its own and it's not where it should be."

She said the animal could be kept without a licence and there was "no paper trail".

Ms Sellares said it was hoped the mammal could be found and taken to a wildlife centre in France - or even released into its natural habitat.

"It's a shame because it's young and shouldn't be out and about in Jersey... it should be in a better place where it can be happy and we are aiming for that."

Stone martens are often confused with pine martens, but they have smaller ears and a lighter undercoat.