As part of the Beaver Trial we will also be controling
mink throughout Knapdale. This is done in many areas across Britain because mink are a non-native species which is damaging to our native wildlife. Famous in particular for its impact on the
Water Vole, currently Britain's fastest declining mammal, they also impact wildfowl and amphibian populations.
Beavers have been found to have a positive effect on wetland species in other places where they have been reintroduced across Europe. The presence of mink upsets the balance in wetland ecosystems and would make it more difficult to get a true picture of how the beavers affect the wildife of Knapdale. Mink control is already carried out by British Waterways on the Crinan Canal and the Forestry Commission also control mink on their land.
I take no joy in killing an animal, no matter what it is, and we work to strick welfare standards. Mink Rafts are used to help us to target trapping and this week we distributed these around the lochs.
A mink raft is a tool invented by the
Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust in order to detect the presence of mink on a water body. It cuts down on the staff time needed if traps were constantly being set.
The raft is made from polystyrene and FSC plywood.
Inserted into the raft is a basket containing oasis foam, to draw up water, and a pallet of clay. Mink are very inquisitive animals; when they come across something new they will normally explore it. Once mink footprints have been identified in the clay, a trap can be put in place.
A tunnel protects the clay from the rain or being trampled by bigger animals and also provides protection from the elements for anything in a trap.
At the moment we will monitor where signs of mink are found before trapping begins in September.
As part of the Beaver Trial we will also be controling mink throughout Knapdale. This is done in many areas across Britain because mink are a non-native species which is damaging to our native wildlife. Famous in particular for its impact on the Water Vole, currently Britain's fastest declining mammal, they also impact wildfowl and amphibian populations.
Beavers have been found to have a positive effect on wetland species in other places where they have been reintroduced across Europe. The presence of mink upsets the balance in wetland ecosystems and would make it more difficult to get a true picture of how the beavers affect the wildife of Knapdale. Mink control is already carried out by British Waterways on the Crinan Canal and the Forestry Commission also control mink on their land.
I take no joy in killing an animal, no matter what it is, and we work to strick welfare standards. Mink Rafts are used to help us to target trapping and this week we distributed these around the lochs.
A mink raft is a tool invented by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust in order to detect the presence of mink on a water body. It cuts down on the staff time needed if traps were constantly being set.
The raft is made from polystyrene and FSC plywood.
Inserted into the raft is a basket containing oasis foam, to draw up water, and a pallet of clay. Mink are very inquisitive animals; when they come across something new they will normally explore it. Once mink footprints have been identified in the clay, a trap can be put in place.
A tunnel protects the clay from the rain or being trampled by bigger animals and also provides protection from the elements for anything in a trap.
At the moment we will monitor where signs of mink are found before trapping begins in September.
