The Problem?
Escaping from fur farms in the 1950s, the American Mink (Neovison vison) has no natural predators in Britain. Being active hunters the American Mink is highly adapted to predating on native Water Voles. The efficiency with which they can hunt is one of the main causes of the rapid decline in British Water Vole populations.
What We Are Doing?
During spring 2014 as part of the Tees Valley Water Vole Survey (currently underway), surveyors will also be recording signs of mink activity. This can be used later to develop a strategy to boost water vole populations and reduce numbers of American Mink within the Tees Valley.