6,000 visons libérés à Terre-Neuve...

[Animal 0]

17 sept. 2007- The RCMP are investigating what they believe is a case of sabotage at a
Newfoundland mink farm, where as many as 6,000 of the furry creatures
escaped from their cages early Saturday.

A motorist alerted police to the high numbers of the animals on a road in
Harcourt. The farm is located between that community and George's Brook.

RCMP Const. Trevor O'Keefe said the release was an act of sabotage.

"There's a number of barns at this farm and the minks that were released
were at three of the barns and they have hundreds of cages, and in order
for these animals to get out somebody had to go in and release the latches
on all these cages," O'Keefe said.

The last time a worker was at the farm was 10:30 p.m. on Friday. The
animals were let out of their cages sometime after that, according to
O'Keefe, who added there was no sign of forced entry to the farm.

Police said there is no reason for local people to be worried about the
free-roaming animals.

"We've been advised they pose no danger, but now we are advising people
that if they happen to see one in the yard, certainly don't go over and
try and capture it themselves."

[Animal 0]

1,000 freed minks still on run

CanWest News Service

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

About 1,000 minks are still on the lam after 5,000 to 6,000 of the
carnivorous mammals were freed from their cages on a mink farm in eastern
Newfoundland over the weekend.

"They're a nuisance in the community (Harcourt, N.L.), hanging around
people's houses looking for food,'' said Hugh Whitney, the provincial
veterinarian. "They don't have any street sense. They can get hit by
cars."

Some of the minks got into fights with cats, and several attacked some
ducks in a shed. To control the mink mayhem, the province has posted a
$50 bounty for every mink trapped.

The majority of the animals stayed close to the farm simply because
they were never wild in the first place. "These animals are raised in
captivity and not equipped to survive in the wild," said Sgt. Rick
Robinson, spokesman with the RCMP Clarenville detachment.

Police said the incident is still under investigation. Robinson said
nothing indicated an animal-rights group let the minks out but said they
are considering the possibility it was a disgruntled employee.

Robinson said for someone not accustomed to the animals, it could be
frightening to release thousands at once and having them run around your
feet.

"In that regard, it would seem to have to be somebody who's comfortable
around those animals."

Some of the minks tested positive for Aleutian disease. The disease
doesn't harm humans but can kill other minks and affect pelt quality and
reproduction.

Newfoundland's mink industry employs more than 320 people and is worth
about $70 million annually.

The industry has about 60,000 female breeders on 24 ranches in the
province.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007

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