The use of scent glands to improve the efficiency of mink (Mustela vison) captures in the Outer Hebrides

Abstract

Introduced invasive American mink are currently posing a threat to endangered bird species on the Western Isles, an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. As part of a 5‐year eradication campaign established in 2001, we conducted a small‐scale experiment in 2002 and 2003 on six offshore islands, ranging from 9 to 31 ha. Over 810 trap‐nights, 82 live traps were alternately baited with mink scent gland extracts or with traditional fish baits. Baiting traps with scent gland extracts was significantly more effective than baiting with fish. In 2003 a large‐scale field trial was carried out over a 900 km2 section of the Western Isles, using either commercially made scent gland lure or fish to bait complete trap‐lines of 20-35 traps. Trapping with 2154 live traps over 22 525 trap‐nights confirmed the results of the small‐scale experiment, and also showed that the scent lure was equally attractive to both male and female mink. The technique is recommended as a means of improving the efficiency of individual traps to catch mink. The implications for large‐scale invasive mustelid eradication programmes are discussed. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2006.