Latest news with #DavidMaclennan
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials take drastic action to wipe out fast-spreading species threatening key region: 'Total removal is feasible'
An initiative to remove the invasive American mink from Scotland's Outer Hebrides is giving native birds a better chance to thrive, NatureScot reported. The newly funded effort, called Saving Nature Outer Hebrides, has secured £94,000 from the Scottish government's Nature Restoration Fund to create a plan for complete mink removal. This work builds on the successful Hebridean Mink Project, which has lowered mink numbers since it began in 2001. When American mink got loose from fur farms set up in the 1950s, they started appearing throughout the island chain. These nonnative hunters often kill more prey than they need, harming ground-nesting bird populations in a region internationally known for its wildlife. The area includes five Special Protection Areas covering about 150 square kilometers. Since trapping began, tern colonies throughout the area have grown beyond expectations. Various birds, including water birds, shore birds, and waterfowl, have increased in population, creating richer biodiversity and more opportunities for wildlife tourism. Fewer mink means young salmon and sea trout face less danger, keeping waterways healthier. Local farmers can raise chickens and ducks with less worry, and fish farms experience less damage to their stocks. "Thanks to the prolonged efforts of the Hebridean Mink Project, the mink population in the Outer Hebrides has been reduced to extremely low levels with significant positive consequences for ground nesting birds," said David Maclennan, NatureScot's head of operations for West Scotland. If you want to make a difference in your area and create habitat friendly to native birds and other animals, try installing native plants. Native vegetation provides food and shelter for local wildlife and requires less watering and maintenance than exotic species. By replacing even a portion of your yard with native wildflowers, grasses, or shrubs, you help create corridors that allow birds and pollinators to thrive in urban and suburban landscapes. Despite bringing mink numbers down dramatically — from being common to just seven animals caught in Lewis and Harris in 2016 — total elimination remains challenging. The new project unites NatureScot, the local government of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and community land groups to finish the task. "We believe that while it will be challenging, total removal is feasible and in the long term offers both the most effective protection for our native wildlife and the most cost-effective solution to the problem," Maclennan added. Kevin Adams of Community Land Outer Hebrides expressed his organization's support: "We are delighted to be partnering on this vital programme. The protection of our unique landscape in the Outer Hebrides is one of the top priorities for our members." Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New plan to 'eradicate' mink from Outer Hebrides
Wildlife experts hope to "completely eradicate" a species of invasive mink from the Outer Hebrides after receiving new funding to trap the remaining animals. More than 2,000 American mink have been captured since a project to eliminate them from the islands began in 2001. Saving Nature Outer Hebrides said a "total removal" of the carnivorous mammals was possible after receiving a £94,000 grant from the Scottish government's Nature Restoration Fund. The animals were first brought to Scotland for the fur farming industry in the 1950s, but they became feral after the farms closed and began threatening native birds. Breeding populations of mink became established on North Uist and Benbecula in 1999. Nature Scot said the Hebrides' coastline and freshwater loch meant the population of mink was able to grow to levels rarely reached in its native North America. The Hebridean Mink Project started capturing the animals in 2001. This allowed local wildlife species to recover, including terns and gulls and wader species such as oystercatcher, lapwing, curlew, snipe, dunlin and plovers. It was thought the number of mink had been reduced to a population that was no longer functional in 2018. But 20 – 30 of the animals have been trapped annually since. Saving Nature Outer Hebrides said the current programme of trapping "was not enough" but a total eradication of the animals was "feasible". David Maclennan, head of operations for Nature Scot in west Scotland, said: "Thanks to the prolonged efforts of the Hebridean Mink Project, the mink population in the Outer Hebrides has been reduced to extremely low levels with significant positive consequences for ground nesting birds. "It's clear, however, that the existing level of trapping has not been enough to completely eradicate mink from the islands. "We believe that while it will be challenging, total removal is feasible and in the long term offers both the most effective protection for our native wildlife and the most cost-effective solution to the problem." Seabirds return after mink 'eradication'
BBC News
01-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New plan to 'eradicate' mink from Outer Hebrides
Wildlife experts hope to "completely eradicate" a species of invasive mink from the Outer Hebrides after receiving new funding to trap the remaining than 2,000 American mink have been captured since a project to eliminate them from the islands began in Nature Outer Hebrides said a "total removal" of the carnivorous mammals was possible after receiving a £94,000 grant from the Scottish government's Nature Restoration animals were first brought to Scotland for the fur farming industry in the 1950s, but they became feral after the farms closed and began threatening native birds. Breeding populations of mink became established on North Uist and Benbecula in Scot said the Hebrides' coastline and freshwater loch meant the population of mink was able to grow to levels rarely reached in its native North America. Local wildlife threat The Hebridean Mink Project started capturing the animals in allowed local wildlife species to recover, including terns and gulls and wader species such as oystercatcher, lapwing, curlew, snipe, dunlin and was thought the number of mink had been reduced to a population that was no longer functional in 2018. But 20 – 30 of the animals have been trapped annually Nature Outer Hebrides said the current programme of trapping "was not enough" but a total eradication of the animals was "feasible". David Maclennan, head of operations for Nature Scot in west Scotland, said: "Thanks to the prolonged efforts of the Hebridean Mink Project, the mink population in the Outer Hebrides has been reduced to extremely low levels with significant positive consequences for ground nesting birds."It's clear, however, that the existing level of trapping has not been enough to completely eradicate mink from the islands."We believe that while it will be challenging, total removal is feasible and in the long term offers both the most effective protection for our native wildlife and the most cost-effective solution to the problem."
