The American mink ( Neovision vison ) is an invasive species which was first brought to the Uk in the 1920s for the fur trade. They soon escaped and were reported to be establishing colonies in the wild by the 1950s. By the late 1960s they had created a strong foothold across large areas of England and Wales. This foothold was further strengthened when they were illegally released from fur farms by groups people opposed to the fur trade.

Mink can reign havoc on native bird, mammal and fish species and is most certainly a player in the reduction of the British water vole population (which have lost 95% of their range since the early 1900s). Mink love water and are good swimmers, as well as ferocious hunters. They can destroy ponds, rivers and other water features if left uncontrolled, as many a fisherman or water bailiff can confirm.

Mink are members of the mustelid family which include such species as otters, polecat, weasel, stoats and badgers. Mink are carnivorous and as stated are really ferocious little hunters measuring from nose to tail between 40 to 70 cm and weighing between 3.5 to 6 kg. They range in colour from a light to very dark brown. As mentioned these are an invasive species and if you have a mink issue on your land they should be controlled to manage the native species that also live on the same ground. If you have mink issues contact us, we are here to help!