American Mink

Numbers of mink have increased significantly over the past 30-40 years and have become a serious concern in the conservation of native and vulnerable water vole populations. Mink farms were first thought to have been established in the UK during the 1920s with popularity rising after WWII. The first breeding of wild individuals was recorded 1956.

Mink are very confident, often seen out in the day and are highly adept swimmers; females are often small enough to enter waterbodies and hunt water voles within their burrows. They are also highly territorial around their own dens which are made close to the water. Feral individuals are typically dark brown in colouration but farm-bred individuals may be variable in colour including white and grey.

They are opportunistic predators, feeding on wide variety of prey including fish, bird and invertebrates but pose the greatest threat to water vole populations.

In Ireland, mink have limited impact to Irish native biodiversity and minimal competition with native otter populations.

eDNA from water samples:

• Avoid stepping into the water – this can stir up sediment, throwing up sediment DNA and any inhibitory molecules present. Sediment may clog the filter and prevent sufficient volumes of water being filtered.
• Avoid reusing equipment from the kits for different samples to limit the risk of contamination between sites. Any items such as extendable poles should be thoroughly cleaned before using at other sites.

Biological:

• Viable biological sample types include faeces, fur, tissue and blood.
• Samples can be taken using a biological sampling kit or using your own secure containers/resources.