Capture of American mink at Lake Pamvotida

Last month, the presence of American mink was reported in Lake Pamvotis by the Management Unit of Protected Areas of Epirus, who notified the Director of the Wildlife Laboratory of the School of Forestry and Natural Environment of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Dimitris Bakaloudis. After confirming that the species reported was indeed an American mink through photographic documentation, traps were granted to the Management Unit for its capture.

The live capture traps were those used under Action C1 of the LIFE ATIAS project.  After about 20 days and alternating five traps around the observation point, the American mink was trapped and transported outside the protected area by the Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace.
The incident is considered isolated as there are no other testimonies for the presence of the species in the area of Lake Pamvotis, but we remain in contact with the competent authorities in case a new record emerges.

Within the framework of the LIFE ATIAS project, a Registration Form has been developed in which you can share information about the invasive alien species American mink (Neovison vison) and coypu (Myocastor coypus) but also about the otter (Lutra lutra) which is a protected species in the study area.

The registration form was created by the Laboratory of Forest Management and Remote Sensing of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

To report the presence of a mink, coypu or otter click on the following link:

Species registration form LIFE ATIAS