Rare American mink spotted in Strangford

Rare American mink spotted in Strangford

26 March 2025

AN American mink has been spotted at Audley’s Castle, near Strangford. 

A threat to fish as well as to ducks and other birds, mink are an invasive species and with no natural predators, their numbers are flourishing in Ireland.

The small mammal can be distinguished from otters by its smaller size, darker fur and smaller face, and can usually be found near streams, lakes and riverbanks.

Reg Rea, who is from Strangford, said he saw the animal whilst walking his dog in the area recently. 

“I noticed the mink coming in and out of the water.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen one around Strangford Lough, I’ve heard there have been sightings around the River Bann,” Reg explained.

American mink were introduced to Northern Ireland for commercial fur farming in the 1950s. 

In 1961, 30 mink escaped from a fur farm in Omagh – the first documented escape from a fur farm in Northern Ireland.

By the time fur farming was banned in 2003, mink had become established in the wild throughout the province.

Other than in areas where they negatively impact important bird species breeding successfully, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs advises that the presence of mink only needs to be controlled “if causing problems to a landowner”.

A spokesperson for the Department said: “Occasionally measures such as trapping may be considered in areas of high mink populations where they are having a negative impact upon biodiversity.

“Only legal methods must be used, and any control measures must avoid harming any other wildlife species protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Further information and guidance is available here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/standard-operating-procedures-control-american-mink.”

The spokesperson continued: “Members of the public and conservation surveyors can record their sightings online through the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) at www2.habitas.org.uk/records/isi or via the iRecord App on their smartphones. “These records are verified and presented via the NBN Atlas NI - distribution map for American Mink found here: https://northernireland-species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0020774297,” the spokesperson added.