Thousands of mink released from Van Wert County farm

[sl8]

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/thousands-of-mink-released-from-van-wert-county-farm/

Thousands of mink released from Van Wert County farm

by: Aaron Organ, Ethan Dahlen, Clayton McMahan
Posted: Nov 15, 2022 / 10:35 AM EST
Updated: Nov 15, 2022 / 06:31 PM EST

*WARNING: * Graphic elements ahead. View with caution.

VAN WERT COUNTY, Ohio (WANE) — Police in Van Wert County said someone broke into a mink farm overnight and released more than 25,000 of the small animals from their cages.

The incident happened early Tuesday at Lion Farms USA Mink Farm on Hoaglin Road in Hoaglin Township, six miles north of Van Wert, according to a post from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the suspect or suspects destroyed fencing at the farm and released 25,000-40,000 mink from their cages. Many remained on property and were corralled by farm workers, the sheriff’s office said.

[...]

“Minks are carnivorous mammals that stick to a diet consisting of fresh kills. They regularly hunt prey bigger than themselves. As a result, they can be a bothersome pest for homeowners, livestock owners, and property managers. Minks have proven to be especially costly and problematic for poultry ranchers as well as homeowners with ornamental ponds filled with koi and other fish,” the sheriff’s office said in the post.

[...]

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. And most, almost all of them, will die because they have NO idea how to find food.

I don't want them to be in cages or used as fur, but there has to be another way. This is just as cruel as their caged fate.

[SergeStorms]

2. Most will probably die anyway.

That many mink released in one area will deplete the available food supply rapidly. They've never hunted before, and although it's in their nature to hunt, they won't be adept enough at it to survive.

Winter is here in the Great Lakes states, and those that don't starve to death will succumb to the elements.

A small amount of them will survive, but the vast majority that escaped won't make it until spring. Sad but true.

[sl8]

3. Update - WANE video

https://www.wane.com/video/11-16-22-5pm-mink-update/8163859/