Mink-free rivers, space for native wildlife

American mink are agile, highly effective predators that take a wide range of prey. They adapt quickly to new habitats and will hunt almost anything they can find – from mammals such as water voles, rabbits, squirrels to waterbirds like moorhens and kingfishers, as well as frogs and fish. Because mink are an invasive species and have no natural predators in the UK to limit their numbers, they can place heavy pressure on native wildlife. Careful, coordinated action is needed to protect these species and give our rivers and wetlands a chance to recover.

We rely on accurate, timely information from people who live, work and walk near rivers and wetlands. Even if you’re not sure it was a mink, sending us what you saw may help us act or build a clearer picture of mink activity.

We treat all reports seriously. Your information will be handled confidentially and only used to support mink control and wildlife protection.

Why trap the mink?

Britain’s rivers and wetlands should be alive with water voles, kingfishers and other native species. American mink, introduced for fur farming, now hunt in these habitats and can wipe out local wildlife populations.

A proven, humane approach

The trust uses floating rafts, humane traps and close monitoring by trained volunteers to detect and remove mink.