Approximately 50,000 of American minks were deliberately released from fur farms by animal rights activists in 2010 in the regions of Kastoria and Kozani. Although more than half of them were either captured or found dead soon after their release, a considerable number of individuals was successfully established and has spread to different directions following the Aliakmonas River valley and its tributaries, with records extending also to the Regions of Florina, Grevena and Pella.
This feral population poses a major threat to biodiversity, especially in the Special Protected Areas of the NATURA 2000 network GR1320003. Limni Orestias - Kastoria and GR1340001. Ethnikos Drymos Prespon - Florina.