Experimental nursery of European mink of the Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve was organized in December 1994, by agreement with Administration of Reserves of Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Natural Resources of Russian Federation. Main aims of the Experimental nursery are saving Middle Russian subspecies of the European mink genofund, as threatened species, and reintroduction within its natural habitat.
Objectives of the Nursery:
- saving the Middle Russian subspecies of the European mink (Mustela lutreola novikovi) genofund;
- reintroduction of animals from the Nursery within its natural subspecies habitat;
- scientific experimental studies with the European mink in the wild and in captivity;
- scientific-educational work.
Now we pay more attention to veterinary control for keeping in captivity and newly captive animals, and for the status of population in the wild by sampling.
At the reserve territory and in adjacent areas, and also in the region we trace the process of replacement of European mink by American mink (Mustela vison). Taking into consideration the disastrous status of Russian European mink population (less than 30.000), we maximize popularization of conservation of this threatened species, and attracts public opinion to this problem.
More than 1.500 persons visited the Nursery (about 140 excursions). They are children of preschool and school age, students, school teachers, college instructors, factory and office workers, scientists and tourists from Russia and other countries.
We periodically published the scientific-educational and popularization articles, reports from the Nursery in the local and central press, on TV and by radio.
Young naturalists from different districts of Tver region, Moscow, students of Moscow State University, State Pedagogical University and Tver State University actively worked in the Nursery.
The original methods of keeping and breeding of European mink in captivity were elaborated and used in the Nursery. Here were conducted the studies of feeding, breeding, behaviour peculiarity of mink and polecat of local populations and their interrelations in the wild.
One of the work methods is capturing and tagging of animals.
In September 2001, in the reserve was held the workshop for hunters «Conservation of European mink in Russia — results and prospects» (sponsored by National Park Fund).
It is a tradition to hold the workshops concerning European mink here. On 5 — 9 September, here took place the Second Workshop Lutreola - 2001, which mustered 44 scientists from Russia and other countries — practically all principal specialists in this area of expertise.
On 5 - 9 September, 2005, in the reserve took place the Third Work Workshop concerning studying of status and conservation of European mink - Lutreola.ru 2005.
Mink-cubs in the aviary
Feeding
European mink
European mink
Tame polecat
Tame polecat
Martin
Polecat
American mink
Since august 2007, the Experimental nursery of European mink is underquarantine.
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