Western Isles
Hebridean Mink Project
| Introduction | Introduction cont...| Mink
the species | Under threat
| The European responsibility|
| Addressing the problem
| News and updates | Links
|
Introduction
The
first phase of the Hebridean Mink Project was set up in 2001 as a
five-year conservation initiative with the aim of eradicating non
native American mink (Mustela Vison) from the islands of North Uist,
Benbecula and South Uist, and significantly reducing their numbers
in Harris in a bid to protect internationally significant populations
of ground nesting birds.
The project was initially set up by a partnership of Scottish Natural
Heritage, The Scottish Executive, the Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the local authority for the Western
Isles), Central Science Laboratory, and Western Isles Enterprise.
The total cost of the project was £1.65m.
Half the funding came from the EU LIFE Nature Fund, a funding programme
which aims to help the protection of 'Natura' sites designated under
the EC Habitats and Wild Birds Directives.
The breakdown of the remainder of the funding was: £443,000
from Scottish Natural Heritage; £150,000 issued by The Scottish
Executive; £52,000 RSPB; £100,000 funding from Comhairle
nan Eilean Siar; a total of £42,000 from the Central Science
Laboratory and £35,000 from Western Isles Enterprise.
The first phase of the Hebridean Mink Project is now complete and
work has been progressing since 2006 on its second phase.