IUCN Species of the Day: European Mink

 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)

Photo credit: Tiit Maran

 

The European Mink, Mustela lutreola, is listed as ‘ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. A century ago, the European Mink could be found throughout the European continent, but its population has severely declined and its range is now greatly reduced. Today, it is mostly known from Eastern Europe, with isolated populations in northern Spain and western France.

Historically, habitat loss and over-hunting are likely to have contributed to the European Mink’s decline. In parts of Europe where hydroelectric developments and water pollution have increased significantly over the past few decades, habitat loss is still a serious threat. Pest-control trapping and accidental mortality through vehicle collisions also affect populations in some areas.

The European Mink is legally protected in all range states, and at least part of the population occurs within protected areas. In the early 1990s, an international conservation programme was set up by several partners. The programme’s objective was to establish priorities for a conservation plan, by characterizing the bio-ecology of the species, analyzing causes for its decline and assessing the genetic variability of western populations.

 

Geographic Range of the European MinkCredit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

 

To learn more about the European Mink, click here.  Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.

 

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To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.

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