"ECO-WARRIOR & INVASIVE SPECIES"

North American Mink - 3 Photos

The December 15th, 2019 - Photo of the Week - "If Wishes were Fishes" highlighted the North American Mink. (Please see link below for the actual blog.)

https://www.inaturephoto.com/blog/2019/12/photo-of-the-week---dec-15-2019---if-wishes-were-fishes---mink-north-american

Having had no success in identifying the fish that this lucky mink caught, I finally went to the experts at "Fish Tales Fly Shop Ltd." n Calgary, Alberta. At the shop, their staff quickly identified the fish as a "Prussian Carp", an invasive species in Alberta's waterways. Well, that's one less one to worry about thanks to the little brown "Eco-Warrior" mink. I hope this mink and members of its species keep up the good work in Calgary.

The following link is from an Alberta Government's website, identifying invasive fish species in Alberta and the protocols that should be followed in order to protect Alberta's waterways. It includes a pictorial representation of the "Prussian Carp".

https://www.alberta.ca/invasive-fish-species.aspx

Invasive species can be defined as animals or plants from another region of the world that don't belong in their new environment. In this instance, the Prussian Carp is the invasive species and the North American Mink, native to this area, an asset in its control. However, in the United Kingdom, for example, the North American Mink is an invasive species. It is believed it escaped from "mink farms" into the natural environment where it has successfully adapted to its new living conditions and is known to be predator of native species such as the Water Vole, which is classified as "endangered".

So let's work to keep the environment and its inhabitants, "native"  wherever we may live and avoid introducing "invasive species". And thanks, little mink, for your contribution in your native environment for doing your part.

And I would also like to thank Nancy & Matt, at "Fish Tales Fly Shop Ltd." in Calgary, AB for their wonderful assistance. I've included the link to their website as my way of saying thanks for taking the time to solve my "riddle". If fishing is a passion, check them out! 

https://fishtalesflyshop.com/

PHOTO #1 - "SNOW MINK"

Mink (North American)"MINK IN WINTER"

PHOTO #2 - "BLINK MINK"

Mink (North American)"MINK MOUSTACHE"

PHOTO #3 - "NORTH AMERICAN MINK & PRUSSIAN CARP"

Mink (North American)"IF FISHES WERE WISHES"