Scotland's Wildlife

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.