Scotland's Wildlife

Local benefits
from the project
Tourism –
many of the tourists who
come to the Western Isles
come here see the outstanding
wildlife – particularly the
breeding birds.
To receive a quarterly newsletter or for more information contact:
Project Manager
Iain MacLeod
The Hebridean Mink Project
Scottish Natural Heritage
32 St Francis St.
Stornoway
HS1 2ND
SNH Stornoway ..................01851 705258
Mobile..................................07919 691645
Email .....................................Iain.Macleod@snh.gov.uk
Scotland’s Wildlife:
Hebridean
American Mink
Project Phase II
Fishing/Fishfarming – American mink can cause
serious damage to fishfarms and to young wild fish stocks.
Employment – the project has created up to 12 full
time posts locally as well as a number of part time ones.
Supplies – for the project are purchased locally
whenever possible, contributing to the local economy.
Free range poultry –
American mink predation on domestic
poultry has been so severe that many
businesses have given up. We hope to
reverse this trend and make easier the
development of commercial businesses.
The Hebridean American Mink Project is supported by the following organisations:
Dè as ùrrain dhuibh a dheanamh
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
Let project staff know of any dead American mink on the
roads or any sightings throughout the Western Isles. If you
are trapping yourself inform the project of your activity and
we will collect any animals caught.
Avoid mink traps especially if there is an animal inside.
Please do not activate any trap you find – it is shut on
purpose and may not be checked for several weeks.
Print and copyright details
Pròiseict Mionc nan Eilean Siar
The Hebridean American Mink Project was set
up in 2001 and after a successful first phase it
is now in the process of eradicating American
mink from the Western Isles.

Am Mionc Aimearaganach
The American mink (Mustela vison) is a semi-aquatic carnivore
that first became established in the wild in Britain in the 1950s
following numerous escapes and releases from fur farms. It has
now spread throughout most of the country.
American mink were brought to the Western Isles by fur farming
in the 50s and 60s, with feral individuals first recorded in Lewis
in 1969. They have since spread southwards, reaching South Uist
by 2001.
This invasive non-native species is a proficient hunter and its varied
diet consists largely of birds, small mammals, fish and crabs. Some
birds are particularly vulnerable to mink predation as they nest on
the ground in large colonies.
After a spring mating females give birth to between three and
seven kits in June. The surviving kits are independent and start
dispersing from mid-July. American mink can live for up to 8
years but 50% of youngsters die in their first year.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT
The project is managed by SNH with a project advisory group
meeting quarterly made up of the principal partners.
Sgire glacaidh
TRAPPING AREA IN PHASE II
The trapping programme
will concentrate on
the area of Lewis
and Harris.
Starting in South
Harris and
creating a
widening
buffer zone
as the project
progresses.
with.
In the Uists a
monitoring
presence shall
be maintained
so that any small
populations of
American mink that
may become reestablished
can be dealt
It is expected to have about 7500
traps placed in Lewis and Harris
operated on a rotational basis.
This suggests that things will be left for a very
Amasan na pròiseict
AIMS OF THE PROJECT
To eradicate American mink from the Western Isles
archipelago.
To protect many species of ground nesting birds and the
indigenous freshwater fish stocks of the islands.
To raise awareness of wildlife conservation and the issue
of non-native predator control.
Dòighean glacaidh
TRAPPING METHODS
There is a team of trappers, supervised by a foreman, who
work in the Lewis and Harris area. In addition a smaller
team is employed on a part time basis to monitor the Uists
and ensure that any American mink sightings are investigated.
Modern GPS units and GIS technologies are used extensively
throughout the project to structure the trapping and locate
traps.
Mink traps are
dug into the
ground and
covered with
turf to resemble
a tunnel. Traps
are left in
place for the lifetime of the project and opened on
a rotational basis. When open all traps are checked daily.
Beachdan a’ choimhearsnachd
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
A Community Liason Forum is being established to provide
an opportunity for local people, landowners and
organisations to be involved with the project.
Rannsachadh
RESEARCH
The data from Phase I were used to create a population
model to estimate the resources required for Phase II.
All new data will be collated and the model extended to
ensure that the current trapping strategy is reducing the
American mink population fast enough to achieve
eradication within the project lifespan.
The RSPB are continuing with the monitoring of breeding
bird colonies within the control area.