Feb

22

2008
 
 

Catch ‘em while you can



Knowing the best time to trap elusive female mink saves wasted effort

Slippery when wetAugust and September are the best months in which to set traps for invasive American mink Mustela vison, according to a study published in the Journal of Nature Conservation. The imported carnivores devastate vulnerable waterbird breeding populations on small coastal islands and islets throughout Britain and continental Europe, yet trapping campaigns usually end up with a heavily male-biased harvest. Unfortunately, long-term reductions can only be achieved by removing females, but Clive Craik at the Scottish Association for Marine Science has found a way to maximize results: concentrate trapping effort when mink litters are becoming more mobile, and adult females are able to move around more. Female catch rates are almost eight times higher during those late summer months, so a big push at that time should be the best way to control the little blighters. Source: Craik JCA (2008) Sex ratio in catches of American mink — how to catch the females. Journal of Nature Conservation DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2008.01.003

Image © Frank Leung

Filed Under Endangered species, Invasive species, Restoration, Marine | 

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