The project operates with four trappers in the South of Harris to prevent recolonisation of the Uists. Research work will also be carried out by a Phd student.
The traps used are small cages hidden under turf and bated with fish. They contain the animal but cause no physical harm. Every trap involved in the project is checked at least daily and all mink caught are destroyed humanely using one shot to the head with an airgun.
Mink are widespread in Harris and the long term aim is to remove them entirely from the whole of the Western Isles. An important part of this project therefore will be to assess the mink populations at different densities, and their responses to control, in order to develop a model for determining a possible strategy and the costs of a second phase on Lewis and Harris. This will require detailed scientific assessment of mink trapping, independent surveys of mink abundance in the trapped regions and construction of a mink control model.
A community liaison committee is being established to invite participation of local interest groups and those with experience of mink trapping. An information leaflet on the project is being produced for distribution on the islands and elsewhere. Press and media coverage is encouraged to raise awareness of the project and its objectives. The findings will be published in scientific literature, and a European Workshop will be held at the end of the project to disseminate the results.
Recently an additional 12 employees were taken on to address the mink situation in North Harris |
