Focus shifting from trapping to monitoringSeptember 2011: A project battling the damaging effects of mink on Scotland's wildlife has just been extended for a further three years. The Hebridean Mink Project (HMP) will continue with an emphasis on monitoring until March 2014. This extension has been assisted by a contribution of £36,000 from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES).
‘This extra funding from the Comhairle was vital in securing an extension to the project. The Comhairle's continuing support of the project in difficult financial times is very much appreciated,' Iain Macleod, the project manager, confirmed.
Cllr Archie Campbell, chair of the Sustainable Development Committee, said: ‘As the Comhairle has been a partner since the project started and given its success to date, we are keen to see the project meet its aims. We have therefore agreed to continue supporting the project during this final phase.'
It is hoped the population will not recoverThe HMP is one of the largest and most complex of its kind anywhere in the world. It uses thousands of traps to catch mink, which are then euthanised. It is now becoming evident that the population of mink has reduced to the extent that individuals are having difficulty finding a mate.
It is hoped the population will not recover in the face of continued intensive trapping.
The reduction in the population now means that the project strategy will change from trapping to monitoring of the area, making use of rafts and tunnels with clay tracking plates. This will allow the targeting of individual animals wherever they are found.
Mink are opportunist predators which catch and eat almost anything and pose a threat to the islands' native wildlife, particularly birds like tern, golden plover, and red/black throated divers.
Almost 1,530 mink have been caught so far.
Arctic tern colonies increasedAreas like the Outer Hebrides rely on wildlife tourism which is reckoned to be worth around £2.5million a year to the local economy. And the mink project helps underpin the economy by creating and retaining 14 full-time trapping jobs.
Monitoring work by RSPB Scotland on local populations of Arctic tern - which fly thousands of miles to migrate to the Western Isles where they raise young - has found some evidence that colonies have increased from six to 26 around Lewis and Harris.
Martin Scott, the local RSPB officer stated: ‘I found 26 colonies of varying size around Lewis and Harris and I have been informed that terns bred again on some of the islands in the sound of Harris. Until recently, we had been down to just five or six colonies. The evidence shows that this species is showing a positive response to mink removal.'
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mink-scotland092011.html
Showing posts with label mink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mink. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Mink have colonised large areas of coastline
By John Ross
AGGRESSIVE mink have colonised most of the coastline of Skye and Lochalsh posing a risk to ground-nesting birds, according to volunteers carrying out a monitoring project.
Hotspots have been found in Kyle, Kylerhea, Loch Bracadale and North Trotternish as well as the islands in the Sound of Raasay, the Skye and Lochalsh, Environment Forum's Mink Survey says.
About 50 people have now reported mink sightings, including those that have been trapped, killed on the roads or had footprints recorded in tunnels set with clay pads.
Scores of volunteers, including crofters and members of conservation bodies and fishing organisations, have helped gather the information for the survey, which is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Highland Council and the European Leader programme.
The aim is to develop a policy to help protect native wildlife and biodiversity from the alien species.
Mink were introduced into Britain as a farmed animal for their fur, but escaped, or were released into the wild, where they compete with otters and others of the weasel family. They feed on fish, ground-nesting birds, eggs, and small mammals, and often take poultry from hen houses and runs.
Mammal Society member Roger Cottis welcomed the recent results: "This is an important element in the continuing fight to help indigenous Scottish wildlife under threat."
A project has been removing mink from the Western Isles for ten years during which time almost 1,500 animals have been cleared from the islands.
http://news.scotsman.com/nature/Mink-have-colonised-large-areas.6657245.jp
AGGRESSIVE mink have colonised most of the coastline of Skye and Lochalsh posing a risk to ground-nesting birds, according to volunteers carrying out a monitoring project.
Hotspots have been found in Kyle, Kylerhea, Loch Bracadale and North Trotternish as well as the islands in the Sound of Raasay, the Skye and Lochalsh, Environment Forum's Mink Survey says.
About 50 people have now reported mink sightings, including those that have been trapped, killed on the roads or had footprints recorded in tunnels set with clay pads.
Scores of volunteers, including crofters and members of conservation bodies and fishing organisations, have helped gather the information for the survey, which is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Highland Council and the European Leader programme.
The aim is to develop a policy to help protect native wildlife and biodiversity from the alien species.
Mink were introduced into Britain as a farmed animal for their fur, but escaped, or were released into the wild, where they compete with otters and others of the weasel family. They feed on fish, ground-nesting birds, eggs, and small mammals, and often take poultry from hen houses and runs.
Mammal Society member Roger Cottis welcomed the recent results: "This is an important element in the continuing fight to help indigenous Scottish wildlife under threat."
A project has been removing mink from the Western Isles for ten years during which time almost 1,500 animals have been cleared from the islands.
http://news.scotsman.com/nature/Mink-have-colonised-large-areas.6657245.jp
Mink have colonised large areas of coastline
By John Ross
AGGRESSIVE mink have colonised most of the coastline of Skye and Lochalsh posing a risk to ground-nesting birds, according to volunteers carrying out a monitoring project.
Hotspots have been found in Kyle, Kylerhea, Loch Bracadale and North Trotternish as well as the islands in the Sound of Raasay, the Skye and Lochalsh, Environment Forum's Mink Survey says.
About 50 people have now reported mink sightings, including those that have been trapped, killed on the roads or had footprints recorded in tunnels set with clay pads.
Scores of volunteers, including crofters and members of conservation bodies and fishing organisations, have helped gather the information for the survey, which is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Highland Council and the European Leader programme.
The aim is to develop a policy to help protect native wildlife and biodiversity from the alien species.
Mink were introduced into Britain as a farmed animal for their fur, but escaped, or were released into the wild, where they compete with otters and others of the weasel family. They feed on fish, ground-nesting birds, eggs, and small mammals, and often take poultry from hen houses and runs.
Mammal Society member Roger Cottis welcomed the recent results: "This is an important element in the continuing fight to help indigenous Scottish wildlife under threat."
A project has been removing mink from the Western Isles for ten years during which time almost 1,500 animals have been cleared from the islands.
http://news.scotsman.com/nature/Mink-have-colonised-large-areas.6657245.jp
AGGRESSIVE mink have colonised most of the coastline of Skye and Lochalsh posing a risk to ground-nesting birds, according to volunteers carrying out a monitoring project.
Hotspots have been found in Kyle, Kylerhea, Loch Bracadale and North Trotternish as well as the islands in the Sound of Raasay, the Skye and Lochalsh, Environment Forum's Mink Survey says.
About 50 people have now reported mink sightings, including those that have been trapped, killed on the roads or had footprints recorded in tunnels set with clay pads.
Scores of volunteers, including crofters and members of conservation bodies and fishing organisations, have helped gather the information for the survey, which is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Highland Council and the European Leader programme.
The aim is to develop a policy to help protect native wildlife and biodiversity from the alien species.
Mink were introduced into Britain as a farmed animal for their fur, but escaped, or were released into the wild, where they compete with otters and others of the weasel family. They feed on fish, ground-nesting birds, eggs, and small mammals, and often take poultry from hen houses and runs.
Mammal Society member Roger Cottis welcomed the recent results: "This is an important element in the continuing fight to help indigenous Scottish wildlife under threat."
A project has been removing mink from the Western Isles for ten years during which time almost 1,500 animals have been cleared from the islands.
http://news.scotsman.com/nature/Mink-have-colonised-large-areas.6657245.jp
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Mink release in Donegal threatens birds
Irresponsible mink release in Donegal poses serious threat to wildlife
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
October 2010. Ireland's largest conservation NGO, BirdWatch Ireland, is seriously concerned by the recent release of 5,000 mink from a fur farm near Ardara in Donegal, indicating that it could have devastating consequences for wildlife in the area and particularly for already rare ground-nesting birds. Western Donegal contains some of the most threatened bird species in all of Ireland, and indeed is the last Irish refuge for the internationally important Red-throated Diver, of which only 4-8 breeding pairs remain. Ground nesting birds are especially vulnerable to mink predation and their potential increase in numbers as a result of this release poses a particularly serious threat.
Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel threatened
For example, current BirdWatch Ireland conservation projects focussed on breeding waders such as Lapwing and Redshank and seabirds such as Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel have identified predation by mink as a considerable threat in some cases. They are also likely to affect many other native birds and other wildlife, including, for example, important Atlantic Salmon populations. The prompt action of the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and of angling clubs in the area to catch as many of the escaped mink as possible is commended.
Currently mink densities are highest in the east of Ireland. However this latest release could boost mink numbers in the west and speed up their colonisation. The west of Ireland contains many key sites for nationally and internationally important bird species that are now at real risk from this invasive alien species.
Fur farming
The development of fur farming is the origin of mink in Ireland. American Mink, native to North America, were first recorded in the wild in Ireland during the early 1960's, having been released, accidentally or on purpose, from these fur farms. Peadar O'Connell, Species Policy Officer at BirdWatch Ireland said, "The problem stems from the fact that there are no natural controls, such as predators, food supply or disease, to limit the mink population, allowing it to grow relatively unchecked and filling the niche of a broad spectrum predator able to exploit many food sources and negatively affect native species."
Fur farms to close
Whatever the reasons for the release, allowing a large number of non-native predators into the wild is potentially damaging and should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. The continued existence of fur farming, however, is the root of the problem and the expected closure of such farms in 2012 under the current Programme for Government is long awaited and should help to prevent similar future problems.
Initiatives such as Invasive Species Ireland have worked on identifying methods to tackle the issue of invasive species but there is a lack of a coherent national strategy to deal with incidences such as this release. Alan Lauder, Head of Conservation at BirdWatch Ireland, said, "Incidents like this highlight a fire-fighting approach within Government in relation to invasive species rather than a planned and co-ordinated approach."
Huge cost
Alan Lauder continued, "This may also therefore be a good time to consider the possibility of mink eradication. It has been estimated in a National Parks & Wildlife Service funded project that to remove mink from an 800 km² area would cost roughly €1,062,425 over a five year period. This would need to be scaled up to eradicate mink from the entire country, but considering the funds required to protect our native species, domestic poultry and fish stocks from the threat of predation by American Mink, it would seem a sensible investment. On top of this comes the threat of EU fines if Ireland fails adequately to protect its threatened wildlife, so dealing properly with the problem now makes sound economic sense and represents a substantial long term saving not just for the national exchequer but also for Ireland's unique natural heritage which is important to us all."
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ireland-mink.html
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
October 2010. Ireland's largest conservation NGO, BirdWatch Ireland, is seriously concerned by the recent release of 5,000 mink from a fur farm near Ardara in Donegal, indicating that it could have devastating consequences for wildlife in the area and particularly for already rare ground-nesting birds. Western Donegal contains some of the most threatened bird species in all of Ireland, and indeed is the last Irish refuge for the internationally important Red-throated Diver, of which only 4-8 breeding pairs remain. Ground nesting birds are especially vulnerable to mink predation and their potential increase in numbers as a result of this release poses a particularly serious threat.
Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel threatened
For example, current BirdWatch Ireland conservation projects focussed on breeding waders such as Lapwing and Redshank and seabirds such as Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel have identified predation by mink as a considerable threat in some cases. They are also likely to affect many other native birds and other wildlife, including, for example, important Atlantic Salmon populations. The prompt action of the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and of angling clubs in the area to catch as many of the escaped mink as possible is commended.
Currently mink densities are highest in the east of Ireland. However this latest release could boost mink numbers in the west and speed up their colonisation. The west of Ireland contains many key sites for nationally and internationally important bird species that are now at real risk from this invasive alien species.
Fur farming
The development of fur farming is the origin of mink in Ireland. American Mink, native to North America, were first recorded in the wild in Ireland during the early 1960's, having been released, accidentally or on purpose, from these fur farms. Peadar O'Connell, Species Policy Officer at BirdWatch Ireland said, "The problem stems from the fact that there are no natural controls, such as predators, food supply or disease, to limit the mink population, allowing it to grow relatively unchecked and filling the niche of a broad spectrum predator able to exploit many food sources and negatively affect native species."
Fur farms to close
Whatever the reasons for the release, allowing a large number of non-native predators into the wild is potentially damaging and should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. The continued existence of fur farming, however, is the root of the problem and the expected closure of such farms in 2012 under the current Programme for Government is long awaited and should help to prevent similar future problems.
Initiatives such as Invasive Species Ireland have worked on identifying methods to tackle the issue of invasive species but there is a lack of a coherent national strategy to deal with incidences such as this release. Alan Lauder, Head of Conservation at BirdWatch Ireland, said, "Incidents like this highlight a fire-fighting approach within Government in relation to invasive species rather than a planned and co-ordinated approach."
Huge cost
Alan Lauder continued, "This may also therefore be a good time to consider the possibility of mink eradication. It has been estimated in a National Parks & Wildlife Service funded project that to remove mink from an 800 km² area would cost roughly €1,062,425 over a five year period. This would need to be scaled up to eradicate mink from the entire country, but considering the funds required to protect our native species, domestic poultry and fish stocks from the threat of predation by American Mink, it would seem a sensible investment. On top of this comes the threat of EU fines if Ireland fails adequately to protect its threatened wildlife, so dealing properly with the problem now makes sound economic sense and represents a substantial long term saving not just for the national exchequer but also for Ireland's unique natural heritage which is important to us all."
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ireland-mink.html
Mink release in Donegal threatens birds
Irresponsible mink release in Donegal poses serious threat to wildlife
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
October 2010. Ireland's largest conservation NGO, BirdWatch Ireland, is seriously concerned by the recent release of 5,000 mink from a fur farm near Ardara in Donegal, indicating that it could have devastating consequences for wildlife in the area and particularly for already rare ground-nesting birds. Western Donegal contains some of the most threatened bird species in all of Ireland, and indeed is the last Irish refuge for the internationally important Red-throated Diver, of which only 4-8 breeding pairs remain. Ground nesting birds are especially vulnerable to mink predation and their potential increase in numbers as a result of this release poses a particularly serious threat.
Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel threatened
For example, current BirdWatch Ireland conservation projects focussed on breeding waders such as Lapwing and Redshank and seabirds such as Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel have identified predation by mink as a considerable threat in some cases. They are also likely to affect many other native birds and other wildlife, including, for example, important Atlantic Salmon populations. The prompt action of the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and of angling clubs in the area to catch as many of the escaped mink as possible is commended.
Currently mink densities are highest in the east of Ireland. However this latest release could boost mink numbers in the west and speed up their colonisation. The west of Ireland contains many key sites for nationally and internationally important bird species that are now at real risk from this invasive alien species.
Fur farming
The development of fur farming is the origin of mink in Ireland. American Mink, native to North America, were first recorded in the wild in Ireland during the early 1960's, having been released, accidentally or on purpose, from these fur farms. Peadar O'Connell, Species Policy Officer at BirdWatch Ireland said, "The problem stems from the fact that there are no natural controls, such as predators, food supply or disease, to limit the mink population, allowing it to grow relatively unchecked and filling the niche of a broad spectrum predator able to exploit many food sources and negatively affect native species."
Fur farms to close
Whatever the reasons for the release, allowing a large number of non-native predators into the wild is potentially damaging and should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. The continued existence of fur farming, however, is the root of the problem and the expected closure of such farms in 2012 under the current Programme for Government is long awaited and should help to prevent similar future problems.
Initiatives such as Invasive Species Ireland have worked on identifying methods to tackle the issue of invasive species but there is a lack of a coherent national strategy to deal with incidences such as this release. Alan Lauder, Head of Conservation at BirdWatch Ireland, said, "Incidents like this highlight a fire-fighting approach within Government in relation to invasive species rather than a planned and co-ordinated approach."
Huge cost
Alan Lauder continued, "This may also therefore be a good time to consider the possibility of mink eradication. It has been estimated in a National Parks & Wildlife Service funded project that to remove mink from an 800 km² area would cost roughly €1,062,425 over a five year period. This would need to be scaled up to eradicate mink from the entire country, but considering the funds required to protect our native species, domestic poultry and fish stocks from the threat of predation by American Mink, it would seem a sensible investment. On top of this comes the threat of EU fines if Ireland fails adequately to protect its threatened wildlife, so dealing properly with the problem now makes sound economic sense and represents a substantial long term saving not just for the national exchequer but also for Ireland's unique natural heritage which is important to us all."
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ireland-mink.html
Courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland
October 2010. Ireland's largest conservation NGO, BirdWatch Ireland, is seriously concerned by the recent release of 5,000 mink from a fur farm near Ardara in Donegal, indicating that it could have devastating consequences for wildlife in the area and particularly for already rare ground-nesting birds. Western Donegal contains some of the most threatened bird species in all of Ireland, and indeed is the last Irish refuge for the internationally important Red-throated Diver, of which only 4-8 breeding pairs remain. Ground nesting birds are especially vulnerable to mink predation and their potential increase in numbers as a result of this release poses a particularly serious threat.
Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel threatened
For example, current BirdWatch Ireland conservation projects focussed on breeding waders such as Lapwing and Redshank and seabirds such as Puffin, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel have identified predation by mink as a considerable threat in some cases. They are also likely to affect many other native birds and other wildlife, including, for example, important Atlantic Salmon populations. The prompt action of the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and of angling clubs in the area to catch as many of the escaped mink as possible is commended.
Currently mink densities are highest in the east of Ireland. However this latest release could boost mink numbers in the west and speed up their colonisation. The west of Ireland contains many key sites for nationally and internationally important bird species that are now at real risk from this invasive alien species.
Fur farming
The development of fur farming is the origin of mink in Ireland. American Mink, native to North America, were first recorded in the wild in Ireland during the early 1960's, having been released, accidentally or on purpose, from these fur farms. Peadar O'Connell, Species Policy Officer at BirdWatch Ireland said, "The problem stems from the fact that there are no natural controls, such as predators, food supply or disease, to limit the mink population, allowing it to grow relatively unchecked and filling the niche of a broad spectrum predator able to exploit many food sources and negatively affect native species."
Fur farms to close
Whatever the reasons for the release, allowing a large number of non-native predators into the wild is potentially damaging and should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. The continued existence of fur farming, however, is the root of the problem and the expected closure of such farms in 2012 under the current Programme for Government is long awaited and should help to prevent similar future problems.
Initiatives such as Invasive Species Ireland have worked on identifying methods to tackle the issue of invasive species but there is a lack of a coherent national strategy to deal with incidences such as this release. Alan Lauder, Head of Conservation at BirdWatch Ireland, said, "Incidents like this highlight a fire-fighting approach within Government in relation to invasive species rather than a planned and co-ordinated approach."
Huge cost
Alan Lauder continued, "This may also therefore be a good time to consider the possibility of mink eradication. It has been estimated in a National Parks & Wildlife Service funded project that to remove mink from an 800 km² area would cost roughly €1,062,425 over a five year period. This would need to be scaled up to eradicate mink from the entire country, but considering the funds required to protect our native species, domestic poultry and fish stocks from the threat of predation by American Mink, it would seem a sensible investment. On top of this comes the threat of EU fines if Ireland fails adequately to protect its threatened wildlife, so dealing properly with the problem now makes sound economic sense and represents a substantial long term saving not just for the national exchequer but also for Ireland's unique natural heritage which is important to us all."
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ireland-mink.html
Thursday, December 10, 2009
PRINCETON: Weasel or whatever, critter is deceased
RIGHT: Princeton's Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson with the weasel, mink or whatever he captured last weeek. The animal has since died. Staff photo by Kristine Snodgrass.Wednesday, December 9, 2009
8:29 AM EST
By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
Whatever it was, it was one of the fiercest critters he’d ever picked up, Princeton Borough Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson said.
He received a call Thursday from a resident of Drakes Corner Road, located off Great Road, who reported she had caught an animal she’d never seen in her humane wire trap.
Mr. Johnson managed to get the weasel-like animal into his truck, but not without a struggle, he said.
”It’s one of the nastiest animals I’ve ever dealt with,” he said shortly after its capture Thursday. “I’d rather deal with a pit bull.”
The animal initially was identified as a fisher cat, but the state Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife thinks it could be a mink, Mr. Johnson. Neither species normally is found in central New Jersey though there were reports of fisher cat sightings in Hopewell two years ago.
Fisher cats are known for their bloodcurdling scream, Mr. Johnson said, which can be mistaken for a woman’s cry.
The animal was slated to be tagged and released, but it died in captivity, Mr. Johnson said. Its death has been attributed to stress induced by its capture, but an autopsy will be performed on the animal to determine its cause of death and exact species.
The fisher cat is known to travel up to 60 miles in search of food and normally has a home range of 10 to 20 square miles, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Web site. They are active year round, mostly at night and dusk.
Despite their name, the animals are not related to cats nor do they typically prey on cats or fish. They normally prey on snowshoe hare, porcupines, squirrels and small mammals such as mice and voles.
They typically are found in Alaska, Canada, northern Minnesota, upstate New York, northern New England, in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, according to the Web site.
The animals have long, slender bodies and short legs like the related species of weasels, martens, minks and otters. Males are twice the size of females, and weigh between four and 12 pounds.
http://centraljersey.com/articles/2009/12/09/the_princeton_packet/news/doc4b1d7da56ef78415048015.txt
(Submitted by Andrew D. Gable)
PRINCETON: Weasel or whatever, critter is deceased
RIGHT: Princeton's Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson with the weasel, mink or whatever he captured last weeek. The animal has since died. Staff photo by Kristine Snodgrass.Wednesday, December 9, 2009
8:29 AM EST
By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
Whatever it was, it was one of the fiercest critters he’d ever picked up, Princeton Borough Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson said.
He received a call Thursday from a resident of Drakes Corner Road, located off Great Road, who reported she had caught an animal she’d never seen in her humane wire trap.
Mr. Johnson managed to get the weasel-like animal into his truck, but not without a struggle, he said.
”It’s one of the nastiest animals I’ve ever dealt with,” he said shortly after its capture Thursday. “I’d rather deal with a pit bull.”
The animal initially was identified as a fisher cat, but the state Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife thinks it could be a mink, Mr. Johnson. Neither species normally is found in central New Jersey though there were reports of fisher cat sightings in Hopewell two years ago.
Fisher cats are known for their bloodcurdling scream, Mr. Johnson said, which can be mistaken for a woman’s cry.
The animal was slated to be tagged and released, but it died in captivity, Mr. Johnson said. Its death has been attributed to stress induced by its capture, but an autopsy will be performed on the animal to determine its cause of death and exact species.
The fisher cat is known to travel up to 60 miles in search of food and normally has a home range of 10 to 20 square miles, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Web site. They are active year round, mostly at night and dusk.
Despite their name, the animals are not related to cats nor do they typically prey on cats or fish. They normally prey on snowshoe hare, porcupines, squirrels and small mammals such as mice and voles.
They typically are found in Alaska, Canada, northern Minnesota, upstate New York, northern New England, in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, according to the Web site.
The animals have long, slender bodies and short legs like the related species of weasels, martens, minks and otters. Males are twice the size of females, and weigh between four and 12 pounds.
http://centraljersey.com/articles/2009/12/09/the_princeton_packet/news/doc4b1d7da56ef78415048015.txt
(Submitted by Andrew D. Gable)
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