Creating a northern safe haven
A conservation initiative aimed at creating a wildlife haven in the north of Scotland that’s free of the American mink is set to start in April. The intention is to protect nationally significant and economically important populations of salmon, water vole (pictured below) and ground-nesting birds – such as greenshank and lapwing – by clearing the area of mink. The initiative will build on previous projects, and is set to appoint four
regionally based community officers covering the Highlands, rural Aberdeenshire, rural Tayside, and Moray and the Cairngorms. “This exciting project is the first stage of a strategic approach to manage the
spread of mink in mainland Scotland,” explained Rob Raynor, SNH’s species adviser. “By building on previous successes in the Cairngorms and northeast Scotland, the project will establish a strategic monitoring and control zone across the north. As we gradually establish areas free from mink, we hope eventually to expand the zone southwards. “The strategy relies on the involvement of volunteers and the local rivers and
fisheries trusts, with their network of ghillies, water bailiffs and gamekeepers.We believe they’re central to making this initiative a success.” The project has secured support from a number of funders including various
LEADER programmes and SNH through the Species Action Framework. Over £920,000 has been raised to get the three-year partnership initiative off the ground. It will involve the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS), ScottishWildlife Trust, University of Aberdeen, SNH and more than 16 other organisations. “Invasive non-native species, like the American mink, damage our environment
and economy,” commented Chris Horrill, project development manager for RAFTS. “In north Scotland, an area that relies heavily on sustainable angling and shooting industries as well as wildlife tourism, we can’t afford to take the risk of losing parts of our biodiversity.” The project will monitor the movements of the mink population using mink rafts
to identify their footprints. It’s hoped to maintain mink-free zones by undertaking the minimum amount of control necessary and to prevent further spread of American mink across the Highlands. “We’re establishing an alert system, made up of local landowners and
volunteers, to ensure we can respond to animal movements in our target areas,” added Paul Gallagher, habitats and species officer for the ScottishWildlife Trust. “And animal welfare considerations will be paramount to our operations. “The American mink is a non-native predator that’s contributing to the loss
of Scotland’s biodiversity through its hunting of water voles and salmon, as well as bird eggs and chicks. The decline or loss of these species could also have a negative impact on local economies that depend on angling, shooting or wildlife tourism.We’re working to protect people’s livelihoods as well as our native wildlife.”
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The Nature of Scotland
NEWS
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