作者: Jonathan C. Reynolds , Suzanne M. Richardson , Ben J. E. Rodgers , Owain R. K. Rodgers
DOI: 10.1002/JWMG.500
关键词: Wildlife management 、 Mink 、 Context (language use) 、 American mink 、 Fishery 、 Population 、 Wildlife conservation 、 Arvicola 、 Biology 、 Ecology 、 Neovison
摘要: The introduction of American mink (Neovison vison; hereafter mink) into Europe has had severe impacts on many native wildlife species, including the water vole (Arvicola amphibius) in mainland Britain. Although trapping been widely used to attempt control mink, managers have little direct evidence its effect density or distribution, particularly where immigration from nearby areas is inevitable. Such needed justify use lethal methods conservation policy. During 2006–2010 we removed River Monnow Catchment western Britain, using track-recording rafts monitor continuously for presence, guiding a strategic effort. area monitored and trapped was increased stages, core sub-catchment with 109 km water-course 2006, 421-km2 catchment 203 2009. In each successive sub-catchment, detection capture rates declined rapidly near-zero levels after began. Detections captures showed seasonal peaks every year corresponding known dispersal periods, but also steadily year, increasing periods which did not detect mink. These results suggested that cleared within few months, subsequent attributable immigration. On average, detected 5.1 times before (daily probability = 0.059 per raft), them 3.4 days deploying traps response. entering were likely present less than 13 capture. Water voles extinct since 1980s. 2006–2008 (starting 6 months commenced), released 700 captive-bred treatment re-establish wild population. Persistence this population through 4 years project considered indicative effective control. This study demonstrates that, even context, systematic strategy can substantial impact distribution damaging case allowing restoration prey species. © 2013 Wildlife Society