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Recently filmed footage (14 July 2024) shows mink hunters and their pack of hounds in the Bandon River in Cork - https://youtu.be/buSwxtM4huM
When mink are caught, they are typically attacked, bitten & ripped apart by the dogs. Join us in telling Ministers Darragh O'Brien & Malcolm Noonan to #BanMinkHunting
Mink hunting should not only be stopped due to the inherent cruelty but also due to the fact that mink hunting often takes place in otter habitats. The otter is a protected species and hunting otters is outlawed.
“As you know, otters and their habitats are protected under the EU Habitats Directive,” we stated in an appeal to Ministers O’Brien and Noonan. “We believe that releasing a pack of hunting hounds into an otter territory constitutes a breach of that protection and this alone is grounds for stopping mink hunting. Mink hunting is a hugely disruptive activity which involves searching through the undergrowth and prodding the banks with metal rods. It is particularly objectionable during a biodiversity crisis, in the middle of bird nesting season and at a river which is a known habitat for the strictly protected otter species.”
We emphasised that during mink hunting activities, otters do not know that they are not the target of the hunters and hounds. Furthermore, hounds will not differentiate between a mink and an otter and may pursue either or both.
The latest “Ireland Red List” classifies the otter as being of least conservation concern due to a stated “population recovery” but goes on to stress that “the status of…the internationally important otter, should be carefully monitored in case the recoveries are not sustained.”
Mink hunting is entirely incompatible with Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats Directive. It reflects badly on the Irish Government that mink hunting, which obviously poses a threat to otters, has not yet been stopped. The otter, is “near threatened” at European and global level so every effort must be made to eliminate all threats to the remaining population in Ireland.
ACTION ALERT
Join us in urging the government to take immediate action to stop all mink hunting activities and work towards banning the bloodsport.
Minister Darragh O’Brien (Fianna Fail, Dublin Fingal)
Minister for Heritage
Tel: (01) 618 3802 OR (086) 251 9893
Email: darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie; minister@housing.gov.ie; natureconservation@housing.gov.ie; WildlifeLicence@housing.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Malcolm Noonan TD (Green Party, Carlow Kilkenny)
Minister of State for Nature
Tel: (01) 618 3148 OR (01) 618 3156
Email: mos@housing.gov.ie; malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie
Leave a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinisterMalcolmNoonan/
Tweet to Minister of State Noonan: https://twitter.com/noonan_malcolm
Taoiseach Simon Harris TD
Email: simon.harris@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)1 618 3805 or +353 (0)1 889 2442
X: http://www.twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeputySimonHarris
Tanaiste Micheál Martin TD
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie; micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD