Monstrous
The Animal Within => Monstrous Animals => Topic started by: Alphamale on October 22, 2006, 04:06:58 PM
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http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/mink_go_free_to_kill.html
Wildlife at risk as 6,000 mink are set free
Thursday, August 10, 1998
BY ADRIAN LEE
THE great mink hunt was under way yesterday after animal rights extremists released thousands of the vicious killers from a fur farm. Police warned people living within five miles of Ringwood, Hampshire, to keep pets indoors and said that the area was facing a wildlife disaster.
It was estimated last night that more than 3,000 mink - one of the animal kingdom's most ferocious predators - were still loose. As householders reported the first attacks on cats and dogs, farmers were organising mink hunts and a team of trappers was trying to contain the carnage.
Experts said that birds and small farm animals were also at risk. A kestrel and an owl at a bird sanctuary near Crow Hill Farm have already fallen victim, but at one farm Suzy, a Jack Russell owned by Elizabeth Wiseman, protected 1,000 piglets by killing six mink.
The Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the release of the mink, which happened in the early hours of Saturday. Cages containing about 6,000 were opened and holes cut in perimeter fences.
The RSPCA condemned the release and animal welfare groups said the ALF operation was a damaging own goal because many of the mink, which were bred in captivity for export to the United States, Scandinavia and Russia, would die of starvation.
It is feared that thousands of young pheasants, released a week ago for the shooting season, will become easy prey. Although the animals are dangerous to humans only when cornered, they will attack pets.
Ringwood's small police station was inundated with calls about the mink. One was found in a rabbit hutch, another was cornered in a garage and a chihuahua dog was attacked. About 300 male stud mink, which measure 28in from nose to tail, were among those on the loose. They were said to be the most dangerous and could easily slip through cat flaps.
PC Rob Ellis, a wildlife liaison officer for Hampshire police, said: "We have told farmers to shoot the mink."
Although bred in captivity, they will adapt quickly and attack anything. "They are not shy of humans and could be dangerous if cornered. They are very aggressive animals and no one should try to catch them. It is going to be a complete catastrophe for wildlife in the area.".....
so, apparently minks are really dangerous, who knew?
Edit: i know it's old, i just thought it was interesting.
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A mink is actually capable of taking down a hawk?! You'd imagine that any weasel would give those talons a wide berth..
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It's all a matter of how hungry you are, and how much of a risk you'd take to get this meal.
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what is a mink?
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A small weasel like animal bred mostly for its fur.