Mink manage to avoid the trappers in the Hebrides

The battle to eradicate mink from the Hebrides continues as conservationists have revealed that the animals are re-establishing themselves in North Uist.

Millions of pounds have been spent trying to remove the ferocious predators which have had a devastating impact on local wildlife.

“Local bird populations”

The mink arrived in the Western Isles in the 1960s and 70s, after being imported by fur farmers, however some animals escaped and have wreaked havoc on local wildlife ever since.

The Hebridean Mink Project was established to wipeout the animal from Uists and has seen 2,000 mink culled since 2001.

The scheme moved from the Uists to begin culling in South Harris, however it has now been discovered that a ‘satellite’ population has managed to cling on in the Uists.

The news that mink are re-establishing themselves in North Uist is being seen as a significant setback, although overall the Hebridean Mink Project has been hailed a success in supporting local bird populations.

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