The overall purposes of the project are (a) eradication of American mink established within the range of European mink and in risk zones, (b) to increase the viability of the wild population of European mink through releasing captive-born individuals from an existing breeding programme, (c) to create a new monitoring network to assess the conservation status of both species after the project.
Specific objectives:
- To adapt and combine different techniques (mink rafts, camera traps, live-trapping) to improve detection and capture efficiency of the two species of mink.
- To eradicate American mink established within the range of the European mink.
- To eradicate an isolated population of American mink set within the risk areas of the European mink in the Ebro valley and Mediterranean basins.
- To create a monitoring network for the early detection of American mink in the areas where they can produce their invasion to the distribution area of European mink.
- To restore the population of European mink in the areas with mayor fragmentation by means of population reinforcement following the eradication of American mink.
- To increase the distribution area of European mink by creating a new population (assisted colonization) in the area with favourable habitat, close to its original range.
- To create a monitoring network of European mink population to assess its conservation status.
- To join eastern and western captive populations to improve the ex situ conservation of the species.
- To improve the habitat conditions of European mink in the Ebro river in the province of Álava.
- To assess the threat posed road infrastructure for the European mink in Álava.
- To increase the public awareness regarding the conservation and status of European mink.