Background & Aims

Understanding the factors influencing behaviour and breeding success is essential to preserving a species. The European mink (Mustela lutreola) has been identified as a critically endangered species in the wild, despite being in zoos across Europe. Yet, there is little research on this species in captivity compared to the American mink (Neogale vison). Despite breeding and release programmes underway for European mink, there is low copulation frequency in captivity.

European mink are solitary, nocturnal, semi-aquatic carnivores. Males born in captivity expressed more aggression and passivity than wild-born males. These traits have been linked to decreased breeding success, finding breeding success was more dependent on males than females. Some types of enrichment have been associated with increased copulation in male mink.

In captivity European mink enclosures have a water pool and often includes stumps, branches and tubes for environmental enrichment. Enrichment has been shown accross species to have beneficial effects on animal behaviour and welfare. Different types of enrichment may effect their tendency towards performing natural behaviours. Understanding the effects of specific environmental factors may help restructure management systems for this species, as there is a lack of standardised management practices across facilities.

This study aimed to identify factors in husbandry and management that may increase breeding success and improve welfare (e.g. decreasing stereotypic behaviour) in captive European mink.