Every mink in Britain 'to be exterminated'

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Well that's the good news, the bad is it may take 50 to 60 years, and that means a lot of money.

Every mink in Britain 'to be exterminated' - Scotsman.com News

I would love to see this happen but as the article says it isn't a short term project. Surely if this is going to take 50 years the mink will re-inhabit the areas they have just been cleared from and the circle will continue.
I was interested in the theory as to why they kill so much. Quite a logical explanation really to have a frozen dinner available if your not sure where your next meal is coming from.

That fact alone hasn't changed my dislike for them.

Trap and shoot, trap and shoot.

BWD

[RobSutton]

I wonder whether the time and money would be better spent on the general improvements of aquatic habitats. With otter numbers building there is evidence that mink are becoming less of a problem and if the overall quality of aquatic habits could be improved then populations of water voles etc could increase anyway. Even if we killed all the mink (and I think that's a huge if) then we would still be left with some fairly low quality aquatic habitats unsuitable for many things.

I'd say spend the money improving aquatic habitats first, monitor populations of otter, water voles and the other things we want to see if they do recover. Then, if still necessary, sort out the mink problem. Situations like that in the Western Isles are different in that they are relatively small isolated areas and eradication seems a much more feasible objective there.

[Dogghound]

It wont work, they are to established, its unrealistic and a waste of time and money. Local Reduction of mink in reserves and in areas with lots of voles would be better, or try to strategically wipe out mink populations. Vole numbers have been affected by landuse, removal of dykes, agro-pollution, river bank management, so for vole conservation to be effective other factors need to be considered. The fact of the matter is they were already declining due to these reasons before the mink came along which in effect were the last nail in the coffin. This loss of habitat was a main factor in this. However mink or habitat loss the general consensus is that the decline has recently stabilized, the problem being that the population is fractured with pockets here and there.

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

I wonder whether the time and money would be better spent on the general improvements of aquatic habitats. With otter numbers building there is evidence that mink are becoming less of a problem and if the overall quality of aquatic habits could be improved then populations of water voles etc could increase anyway. Even if we killed all the mink (and I think that's a huge if) then we would still be left with some fairly low quality aquatic habitats unsuitable for many things.

I'd say spend the money improving aquatic habitats first, monitor populations of otter, water voles and the other things we want to see if they do recover. Then, if still necessary, sort out the mink problem. Situations like that in the Western Isles are different in that they are relatively small isolated areas and eradication seems a much more feasible objective there.

It would be fantastic to have so much money and dedication to spend on our waterways and habitats. Which in itself would also go someway to reducing flooding as well.
Certainly the otter populations in the south seem to be on the up, mainly due to the high level of fish stocks in the rivers. The increase in otters will help to push the mink out of areas, but will not reduce the mink population. A high profile effort to reduce the mink would certainly not go a miss.

BWD

[Fauna]

We definetly need to pile money into improving our waterways and habitats, but at the same time controling the Mink, even better eradication ( if possible).

I't is going to a mammoth task but if all Local Authorities, Water boards, Fishing clubs etc get involved, then who knows. Mink trapping is already on the increasing within these orgs/authorities and what have you. A good injection of funding will push it beyond that of which is already going on.

[barquar]

Martin Mere do regular Checksto make sure there are no mink in the reserve and take action if there are signs of them.
Barquar

[vole-woman]

Thanks for the link, BWD.

Aren't mink numbers in decline, or is that just wishful thinking?

[camo]

I agree Habitat improvement should be the main focus however Water Voles just can not cope with Mink. All their natural reactions send them scurrying into their holes where they are easy meat for the Mink. Many Vole protection programmes rely on the continual control of Mink (Mink rafts and trapping) and it has to be kept up to give Ratty a chance. We should encourage any attempt to rebalance an environment and in greater control of this one species many other species as well as Water Voles will benefit. Some will even benefit from the increased number of Water Voles. The problem with such a problem is as Dogghound says they are established and here to stay it is also difficult on other worthy schemes when such a large chunk of money is focused on one issue. I for one would support the plan however I understand some of the concerns.

Roy

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

Thanks for the link, BWD.

Aren't mink numbers in decline, or is that just wishful thinking?

I've not heard of any decline in numbers. We'll just have to continue wishing and monitoring.

BWD

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Billy Wobble Dagger

I've not heard of any decline in numbers. We'll just have to continue wishing and monitoring.

BWD

They decline in areas where there are a lot of otters, who chase them
out of territories - no idea about the total population trends though.

Although a different problem, they did get rid of Coypu in the 80s - several
people were made redundant as a result