Western Isles
Hebridean Mink Project
| Introduction | Introduction cont...| Mink
the species | Under threat | The European responsibility|
| Addressing the problem | News and updates | Links |
Mink the species
Mink
are a North American species of mustelid, which also includes the
Otter, Weasel, Stoat and Pine marten. They have become established
throughout much of Britain following escapes or releases from mink
farms. Mink have been present on Harris and Lewis in the Western Isles
since the 1960s, after the fur trade declined and the local mink farms
were no longer commercially viable. More recently they have spread
to North Uist and Benbecula.
Mink
are almost certainly having a serious adverse effect on the native
biodiversity of the Western Isles, and pose a particular threat to
the many internationally important populations of ground-nesting birds.
In their continuous search for food they will readily take eggs, chicks
and adult birds. They also impact on economic activities such as fin-fish
farming, river fisheries, game shooting, poultry farming and, indirectly,
tourism, industries which contribute almost £50M p.a. (22%)
to the Isles economy.