American Mink: Longterm Effects of the Fur Trade

American Mink
Courtesy of Phil Lanoue Photography

In the 1920s, fur was a hot commodity in fashion. One of the most prized pelts was that of the semi-aquatic mink. In order to keep up with high consumer demand, mink fur farms were established in Europe. However, instead of using the smaller, native European mink (Mustela lutreola), commercial fur-farmers introduced the larger, thicker-furred American mink (Mustela vison) to produce higher quantities of the valued fur.

Many decades later this introduction would prove to be disastrous for Europe's ecosystems.

The captive American mink had begun to repeatedly escape from these farms and around twenty years later, they had established viable populations throughout many European countries. The American mink only continued to spread throughout Europe, outcompeting and preying on native European species. Today, Europe's ecosystems are still facing the consequences of economic decisions made nearly a century ago.

The purpose of the this site is to highlight the human introduction of invasive species and the biological consequences of human demand for fur. I challenge you to think about how our economic demands today may influence our ecosystems in years to come. Explore the website for more information on this gripping, heart-pelt tale.