Mink attacks Swan

[camo]

On page 113 of January's BBC Wildlife magazine, in a letter (with photos) Alan Sheppard describes how he watched a Mink attack and overcome a full grown Swan. He goes onto say it only got away because of his intervention and the Swan was later caught, cared for and made a complete recovery. I do not wish to criticise Alan as it would be very easy to interfere.

However this raises an interesting question, when should you interfere with nature?

On the plains of Africa we would not entertain stopping a Lion from killing a beautiful Gazelle, in the cold water of South Africa we are in awe of Great White Sharks feasting on Cape Fur Seal, so why is this different? It is not because it is the UK, the Peregrine is reverred for its speed when it kills a pigeon (unless you fancy Pigeon!). Is it because some creatures are too good to be victims? I remember how I felt when the TV showed Lions killing an Elephant! Does the pure white of the Swan make this more savage and unacceptable? Or is it because the Mink is an introduced species and deserves less support?

To protect our native Water Vole I fully support the humane trapping of Mink. However on balance I believe Alan should not have been tempted to intervene; where two creatures are completly wild we must stand back and observe.

As a footnote, I must add that I really enjoy the BBC magazine and found Alan's letter very interesting.


Roy

[Kayleigh]

I think Alan did the right thing in this case..
Mink do not belong here.

If it was a bird of prey then no I wouldn't interfere...
If a cat was attacking a bird then I would interfere..

[barquar]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I think Alan did the right thing in this case..
Mink do not belong here.

If it was a bird of prey then no I wouldn't interfere...
If a cat was attacking a bird then I would interfere..

Here Here Quiet agree.
Barquar

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I think Alan did the right thing in this case..
Mink do not belong here.

If it was a bird of prey then no I wouldn't interfere...
If a cat was attacking a bird then I would interfere..

Yes, I agree with Kayleigh's view entirely.

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by camo

On the plains of Africa we would not entertain stopping a Lion from killing a beautiful Gazelle, in the cold water of South Africa we are in awe of Great White Sharks feasting on Cape Fur Seal, so why is this different? It is not because it is the UK, the Peregrine is reverred for its speed when it kills a pigeon (unless you fancy Pigeon!). Is it because some creatures are too good to be victims? I remember how I felt when the TV showed Lions killing an Elephant! Does the pure white of the Swan make this more savage and unacceptable? Or is it because the Mink is an introduced species and deserves less support?

It's very easy to say that Roy, but who in their right mind is going to deprive a meal from a Lion or a Great White, which I might add are amongst the most notoriously powerful predatory carnivores known to man. How many Peregrines have devoured human limbs? It's all very well saying that one rule should apply throughout the animal kingdom, but it's simply not possible to compare such drastically different calibers of animal!

[camo]

I agree Mink should not be here, but this was a wild situation where as the Domesticated Cat is a captive (albeit on a long leash) pet. My initial thoughts were the same as Kayleigh's but on further reflection this wild Mink was following natural instincts. Would it have made a difference if the attacker was a Polecat or a Pine Martin?

Roy

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by camo

I agree Mink should not be here, but this was a wild situation where as the Domesticated Cat is a captive (albeit on a long leash) pet. My initial thoughts were the same as Kayleigh's but on further reflection this wild Mink was following natural instincts. Would it have made a difference if the attacker was a Polecat or a Pine Martin?

Roy

Yes, it would make a difference to me...

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by camo

To protect our native Water Vole I fully support the humane trapping of Mink. However on balance I believe Alan should not have been tempted to intervene; where two creatures are completly wild we must stand back and observe.

Originally Posted by camo

I agree Mink should not be here, but this was a wild situation where as the Domesticated Cat is a captive (albeit on a long leash) pet. My initial thoughts were the same as Kayleigh's but on further reflection this wild Mink was following natural instincts. Would it have made a difference if the attacker was a Polecat or a Pine Martin?

Roy

it would make a difference as the polecat and pine marten are native. The mink should have been caught and removed, so worrying about interfering is irrelevant in my opinion. An American mink attacking a mute swan in the UK is not a natural or wild situation, but a man made one and we should do our best to stop it happening.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by camo

I agree Mink should not be here, but this was a wild situation where as the Domesticated Cat is a captive (albeit on a long leash) pet. My initial thoughts were the same as Kayleigh's but on further reflection this wild Mink was following natural instincts. Would it have made a difference if the attacker was a Polecat or a Pine Martin?

Roy

Excuse my manners Roy and welcome to WAB..

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Excuse my manners Roy and welcome to WAB..

Happy new year all round then .

I agree with your initial post by the way. Mink do not belong here so it's not a natural situation for it to occur in this country.