RE: The American mink (Neovison vison) is found in almost all parts of Norway (and in many parts of Europe as well), and has spread from captive fur minks that have escaped their cages
Yes the pesky American species, similar to that in the Uk where the american crayfish has taken over vast expanses of waterways, and in some parts obliterated the natural habitat over several local fish species. Let us also not forget the American grey squirrel who has all but ostracised the native red squirrel from its natuarl habitat also. Given it justifies the extermination of the renegade minks on the run from the farms. One would hope that their furs would be able to generate some revenue to restock the devastated populations. Other wise i think imposing large fines on the farms for failing to ensure proper containment of non indigenous animals. I guess this is why places like Australia have such strict rules on importation of anything which could be detrimental to the natural habitat. Because without the natural predators any species can run havoc unchecked.
Yeah, as you say, this is far from the only time an American species have invaded Europe and other parts of the world.
That's an interesting idea. I believe the hunters who shoot them get to keep the fur here in Norway, but this could certainly be an interesting way to pay for the extermination of them.
I could not agree more! A single farmer can potentially ruin entire ecosystems in an entire country if a few of his animals escape, so there needs to be very strict regulations when we are keeping foreign species in farms.
Australia has already had problems with several different species who destroyed some of their ecosystems, so it's no wonder that they have finally begun to limit the import of biological material.
Yes I couldn’t agree more. Perhaps you could suggest the fur idea to someone in the know.
I guess it depends on how they kill them whether they shoot them or not. I know my wife wouldn’t be happy if her mink coat had holes in it :) lol
Hehe, I get that, but I there are very strict regulations when killing wild animals here in Norway. I do think the fur farmers have different laws, but the hunters probably have to kill them by gunshot.
Yes i suspect so, or like you were saying before about cages. If your government is to incentives the culling of them and make it worth the time of the hunters i am sure they would comply if the government dictated how they wanted them culled.