Wild Mink Wiping out Bird life on Lakes- Irish Independent 24/10/05

Terrier

A SPECIAL trapping programme is needed to reduce the numbers of wild mink which are taking a heavy toll on bird life, according to Birdwatch Ireland.

Stephen Newton, senior conservation officer with Birdwatch Ireland, has claimed the once vast common gull population of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, in Galway and Mayo, has suffered an 80 to 90pc decline in recent years due to predatory mink.

Mink, originally bred in captivity for their pelts, have escaped in large numbers into the wild.

Breeding rapidly, they have colonised rivers and lakes, taking a very heavy toll on wild bird life in the process. Mr Newton, who was one of the main speakers at a talk in Castlebar, explained: "Mink are deadly killers. When they embark on a killing spree they kill every chick or destroy every egg they can find."

Pointing out that the mink population boom is posing an enormous problem for the breeders of domestic poultry as well as wild bird life he suggested that the only solution was a State trapping programme.

"Such a programme . . . would be the only way forward," he stated

About time irish wildlife groups come to terms with the damage Mink cause.

jaycee

the mink population boom is posing an enormous problem for the breeders of domestic poultry as well as wild bird life he suggested that the only solution was a State trapping programme

Irish solution to a problem ..:rolleyes:

Let the mink population multiply to a point where it can kill off all the birds ,
thus curbing any potential for a problem with bird flu..

scuby

Yea mink are a real pain in the ass.
Have come across them a good distance from waterways, on their way in land to kill others birds and animals as they have killed everything else around the rivers and lakes. We make traps at home to catch the little runts, and give them to some others clubs in the area. Other than that, my trustee shot gun says hello to them on the river bank;)