American mink (Mustela vison)

Species information

Videos and images

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Threats

Other than preying on our native fauna, the American mink may also carry Aleutian disease, a virus of fur farms that can be transmitted to native carnivores (6).

Conservation

Eradication of mink throughout Britain is unlikely and would be extremely expensive; however, populations remain low where regular culling is carried out on a local basis. Sensitive areas could be fenced off (5), and on previously predator free islands, such as Harris, which supports internationally significant populations of nesting sea birds; eradication of mink is essential (5). It is now apparent that in areas where otters have made a recovery, mink have been declining (5), this is certainly encouraging news.