As of Tuesday afternoon, an estimated 10,000 rogue mink were roaming through Van Wert County, Ohio. According to the county sheriff, the animals were released during a farm break-in.
“Suspect(s) destroyed fencing, and approximately 25,000-40,000 mink were released from their cages,” during the overnight hours Tuesday, said Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach in a statement.
Many of the mink remained on the property, identified as Lion Farms. Mink are part of the weasel family and are often bred in captivity for their sought-after fur, which is used to make outerwear such as mink coats. In the wild they are often nocturnal and live near water.
Mink at Lion Farms are considered domesticated livestock.
“Domesticated mink generally will not survive in the wild because they lack natural survival skills,” said the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office. Since the animals are carnivorous, they are expected to stick to a diet of “fresh kills” of prey bigger than themselves, said authorities. This can be an issue for pet owners or other farmers with livestock.
“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,” said the sheriff’s office.
However, Riggenbach warned people in the area not to approach them since mink are known to bite. They could also possibly spread COVID-19, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If mink is spotted, call Lion Farms or a nuisance trapper so the animals can be recaptured by experienced handlers,” the office said. “Property owners meeting the hunting license exemption may hunt or trap a fur-bearing animal on his or her own lands without a fur taker permit,” it added.
According to Riggenbach an investigation into the break-in was ongoing as of Tuesday.
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