PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is one of the most endangered mammal species in Europe. In France, it is among the three most endangered mammals. Globally considered as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2011, it is listed as a priority for conservation in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. It acts as an umbrella species – by preserving its habitat, many other species and habitats benefit from the same conservation actions. The European mink’s distribution area has shrunk by half in the last twenty years. Recent observations have shown that two French departments (Charente and Charente-Maritime) now constitute one of the last remaining strongholds of this species, in an area without an active population of the invasive American mink (Neovison vison).
OBJECTIVES
LIFE VISON aimed at preserving or increasing the European mink’s population in one of the species’ last stronghold areas, by reducing the causes of mortality, increasing the area of favourable habitats, improving ecological continuity and securing land tenures. The project addressed the threat posed by the invasive American mink by disrupting their attempts to settle in the Charente River basin. Although a prevention plan was initially proposed for an American mink farm in Charente, the farm closed in 2018 with no replacement or buyer and American mink farms are now banned in France. The project actions were implemented concomitantly with the application of the third National Action Plan for the European Mink (Mustela lutreola). LIFE VISON also aimed to improve knowledge about the mammal’s sensitive period of reproduction and its function in ecosystems.
RESULTS
Main achievement include:
- securing 645 ha of land under the “Sensitive Natural Area” protection status, enabling the administration to exert pre-emptive rights on parcels of potential ecological value;
- the purchase of 52 ha of land for conservation purposes;
- the creation of 103 refuges zones for the European mink;
- the production and application of 12 wetlands management plans in sensitive areas;
- the restoration of 48 ha of riparian woodlands, wetlands and meadows;
- the creation of 11 ponds and restoration of 4 fish spawning grounds;
- equipping 13 bridges and an 800m road segment with 28 wildlife-crossing infrastructures.
