PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
About 50 000 American mink (Neovison vison) were deliberately released from fur farms by animal rights activists in 2010 in the regions of Kastoria and Kozani, Greece. Although most (approx. 35 000) were either captured or found dead soon after their release, a considerable number of individuals established successfully and have since spread in different directions following the Aliakmonas River valley and its tributaries, with records extending also to the regions of Florina, Grevena and Pella. The species has also been recorded in small numbers in important wetland Natura 2000 sites (SPAs), Limni Orestias (Kastoria) and Ethnikos Drymos Prespon designated for the conservation of the near-threatened Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), pygmy cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) and squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides).
American mink is an opportunistic predator, with a wide diet spectrum, including aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial prey. Apart from direct effects on prey populations it also causes problems of food and habitat competition, as well as disease transmission (e.g., Aleutian disease). It can have a negative impact on: a) certain economically-important wildlife (i.e., ground-nesting birds such as rock partridge, Alectoris graeca) and domestic species (i.e. free-range chickens); b) other mammalian native competitors such as the European otter (Lutra lutra), the stone marten (Martes foina) and the European polecat (Mustela putorius); and c) small mammals such as water voles, and amphibians, leading to population declines following the spread of this invasive predator. Alteration of food webs is also likely to occur where the mink is found in high densities.
American mink is now the most common fur farming species in Greece, with over 100 mink farms in northwestern Greece, mainly in the region of Kastoria. Another deliberate release may have detrimental effects on biodiversity and the conservation of vulnerable bird species, with no framework in place for early warning and rapid eradication.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE ATIAS project targeted the eradication or at least containment of the spread of the feral population of American mink before it can severely damage biodiversity in Greece, by developing early detection and rapid eradication systems, and applying management measures to eradicate or contain already established individuals. Specifically, the project aimed at the:
- establishment of an early warning and rapid eradication system for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) starting from regional (Decentralised Administrations of Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace) and local levels (Kastoria, Florina, etc.), which can be gradually built up to national level;
- introduction and pilot implementation of a technical and administrative framework for the eradication/control of established invasive alien species through the application of best practices (innovative eradication and intense control methods);
- establishment of communication channels between national relevant stakeholders in order to address IAS efficiently;
- setting up networking mechanisms among stakeholders for monitoring the effectiveness of eradication and control, its impact on protected wildlife species and its socio-economic impact on local communities;
- promotion of transnational cooperation for experience and knowledge exchange, and replicability and transferability of the project actions to enhance their impact beyond the project area and duration;
- protection of biodiversity, restoration of ecosystem services and amelioration of the conservation status of vulnerable species in Natura 2000 sites of northern Greece, such as the Dalmatian pelican, swans, ducks and other water birds;
- reduction of economic damage to farm animals and crops due to the gradual control of IAS feral populations, and conflict resolution between social groups through participatory activities; and
- raising public awareness on IAS and their impact, the need to protect vulnerable and other important species, as well as to conserve the high biodiversity in north-western Greece.
The project aimed to implement EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien (non-native) species, by establishing an early detection and rapid eradication system for IAS and introducing a technical and administrative framework for eradication of American mink in and around Natura 2000 sites, and the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (target 5 aiming to combat IAS). The project is also in line with the Greek National Strategy for Biodiversity for 2014 2029.
RESULTS
An integrated information system was developed to provide updated information to everyone involved in mink population management with the possibility of online storage of both spatial and descriptive information, its exchange among stakeholders as well as timely update. The stored data are comprised from spatial and descriptive information related to the location of existing mink farms, mink observations within the study area perimeter and additional ancillary geographic data (e.g., Digital Elevation Model, Corine Land Cover map, Natura2000 map, hydrological network).
An Early Warning System comprising of an online platform and mobile application for registered users was developed to support recording and monitoring the presence of union concern IAS and the American mink in Greece. So far, users have been created for all stakeholders in the regions of Western, Central and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Forest services, Management Units of Protected Areas and Hunting Federation).
These tools are intended for all potential users (research institutions, public administration, non-governmental organisations, the wider public, etc.) and offer graded access, depending on the type of user.
The baseline for the American mink population size was set and the threats for the ecosystem services and the protected species were identified. Information regarding the species’ current and potential distribution was acquired by both direct and indirect methods: (a) field surveys, (b) sign searches (floating rafts and hair tube traps), (c) camera trapping, and (d) questionnaires. This information was used to map the current distribution of the feral American mink population, distinguishing between validated occurrence (methods a, b, c) and probability of occurrence (method d). Two separate maps have been produced based on this distinction.
A total of 150 floating rafts were used, distributed at 1 km intervals along the Aliakmonas river and its tributaries, as well as around lakes Kastoria, Mikri Prespa, Vegoritida and Agras. A total of four monitoring and trapping sessions were carried out, from April 2020 to June 2023, during which the presence of the American mink was recorded in 65 floating rafts, and 28 individuals were trapped and removed from the area. In addition, another 17 individuals were trapped and removed during this time with the use of land-traps.
The project developed a monitoring methodology for American mink, otter and waterfowl, starting with the identification, detailed design and description of species recording methods and the creation of monitoring protocols to implement them for the estimation of the population size and distribution of the American mink during the implementation of the trapping actions, the Otter and the wildfowl and waterbirds. It also includes the methodology for evaluating the impact of the American mink on ecosystem services.
A best practice guide was developed as a way of facilitating the transfer and replication of the knowledge that was acquired and a technical plan was developed for the replication and transfer of the project outputs.
Communication activities carried out:
- Project website and social media (Facebook & Instagram)
- Information boards
- Leaflets and other information material - Videos
- Scientific publications
- Media presence
- Information events
Targeted communication actions were implemented to manage the risk of escapes or releases from fur farms, which included the training of fur farmers on the tools created by LIFE ATIAS and the creation of an e-learning platform (https://platform.eclasslifeatias.gr/) was developed to facilitate the continuation of the training process of employees of the fur breeding industry.
An online educational game for primary school students was developed.
