The European Mink Tim still present in the marshes …

Among the European minks captured and marked in March 2019 in the Rochefort marshes, the Mink named Tim presented a fairly average general condition. It is therefore with pleasure that the LIFE VISON program teams captured it again 8 months later on the same territory and in great conditions this time.

… And a new mink identified!

Friday, December 13, proved to be lucky for the program teams. A beautiful unmarked male weighing 850g, called Zen, was caught, bringing the number of marked mink in the marshes to 10.

Heavy flooding in Charente

In the Charente valley upstream of Angoulême, trapping campaigns could not be carried out due to the high floods. On this territory where the presence of the species has been detected over almost 35 km, a total of 2 individuals have been microchipped since the start of the project. However, genetic analyzes of the hairs collected in the footprint tunnels also identified at least 3 other different individuals.

Contact

LIFE VISON PROJECT COORDINATOR Ingrid Marchand Phone : +33 5 46 82 12 45 ADDRESS : LPO – Les Fonderies Royales, 8-10 rue du Docteur Pujos – CS 90263 – 17305 Rochefort

Interlife meetings, an essential event

Each year, Interlife meetings are organized bringing together the different coordinating teams of French and Belgian LIFE projects. This event is an opportunity to share the experiences of each program during three days of meetings and exchanges, in the presence of representatives of the European Commission in charge of the LIFE program. The LIFE Vison teams from the LPO went there to participate in this event organized this year by  LIFE Habitats Calanques.

Field visit to Frioul during the 2019 Interlife meetings in Marseille (© Philippe RICHAUD LIFE16NATFR000593)

LIFE VISON program hosts InterLife 2020 meetings

In 2020, these meetings will be organized by the LIFE VISON program teams. The thematic workshops carried out will allow the exchange of good advice and feedback while the field visits will be an opportunity to show the actions undertaken for the conservation of the European Mink within the framework of the LIFE VISON program.

Interlife meetings 2019 in Marseille (© Philippe RICHAUD LIFE16NATFR000593)

Contact

LIFE VISON PROJECT COORDINATOR Ingrid Marchand Phone : +33 5 46 82 12 45 ADDRESS : LPO – Les Fonderies Royales, 8-10 rue du Docteur Pujos – CS 90263 – 17305 Rochefort

Restore ecological continuity

This involves equipping a bridge over the Charras canal, the main hydraulic artery of the marsh, with a fixed bench seat to ensure a secure path for Mink and other small mammals.

The ETCHAR company, commissioned by the Department, carries out this work under special conditions due to the high water levels linked to the rainfall.

A safe passage

Previously a European Mink who wished to walk with dry feet along the banks was obliged to cross the road, at the risk of being struck by a vehicle. With this new arrangement, animals can move around in complete safety.

Contact

LIFE VISON PROJECT COORDINATOR Ingrid Marchand Phone : +33 5 46 82 12 45 ADDRESS : LPO – Les Fonderies Royales, 8-10 rue du Docteur Pujos – CS 90263 – 17305 Rochefort

Contact

COORDINATRICE DU PROJET LIFE VISON Ingrid Marchand PHONE : +33 5 46 82 12 45 ADDRESS : LPO – Les Fonderies Royales, 8-10 rue du Docteur Pujos – CS 90263 – 17305 Rochefort

First births in captivity in France

On July 10, 2019, two females and two males European mink were born in the Zoodyssée breeding center. At their first weighing on July 29, the four babies weighed between 63 and 91 grams. This event, a great first in France, represents great hope for the future of this species.

European mink examined by the Zoodyssée veterinarian (© Zoodyssée / Conseil Départemental des Deux-Sèvres)

The breeding center at the heart of the actions of the National Intermediate Action Plan

In 2014 a National Intermediate Action Plan was launched, coordinated by DREAL Nouvelle-Aquitaine in partnership with ONCFS and Cistude Nature, whose efforts focus on 3 main actions: updating knowledge on the distribution of European Minks, fighting against the American Mink and the implementation of a European mink conservation farm.

This farm was set up in Zoodyssée, property of the Department of Deux-Sèvres, with the long-term objective of reintroducing individuals born in captivity into the natural environment in order to reinforce European mink populations on French territory.

European mink born in Zoodyssée on July 10, 2019 (© Zoodyssée / Conseil Départemental des Deux-Sèvres)

The genotyping of the hairs collected in the footprint tunnels made it possible to detect three new mink on the Charente.

The fingerprint tunnels deployed for the indirect detection of minks are equipped with plates provided with tape enabling the hairs of individuals frequenting them to be collected.

The genotyping of hairs collected in the fall of 2018 during the emancipation period of young people born in the spring, was compared with the hairs of individuals caught.

It has identified three new individuals, including two females, in the Montignac-Charente area.

These completely new results open up new perspectives in terms of indirect methods for characterizing detected sectors.

Footprint tunnel with hairs sensors frequented by European Minks (©GREGE/LIFE VISON)

Contact

COORDINATRICE DU PROJET LIFE VISON Ingrid Marchand PHONE : +33 5 46 82 12 45 ADDRESS : LPO – Les Fonderies Royales, 8-10 rue du Docteur Pujos – CS 90263 – 17305 Rochefort