It was a MINK.
Marilyn, one of our tireless rehabbers, set a HavaHart trap baited with a juicy, dead mouse last night, with small hope that something from the mustelid family would be caught in it. They are smart, crafty and slippery. That family of mammals include otters, skunks, badgers and ferrets. A nice mixture of cuteness and ferocity. They are semi-aquatic, living near streams and lakes. RAPTOR is smack-dab next to Mill Creek. Sigh.
Here's the murderer:
Here's the murderer:
I approached slowly, not really wanting to make eye contact. But I thought of Elvis, savagely ripped apart by this thing. My heart began to harden against it. I stared it down.
They are beautiful animals; Soft-looking, lustrous fur...cute little faces.
But I don't give a damn. I started imagining him as a hat.
Buh-Bye, Mink.
But I don't give a damn. I started imagining him as a hat.
Buh-Bye, Mink.
Some sand was spread in areas where we noticed disturbance, with rat traps set. Today, there were fresh mink tracks. This is just outside Isis' mew. She was not in there last night- I moved her to a more enclosed mew on the other side of the yard. More traps will be placed, to see if any others try to come in. They are solitary animals, but there might be young ones around. This makes a life mammal for me, but I don't give a damn.
As far as our void in our permit left by Elvis, there is a female barred owl who is non-releasable and living at RAPTOR right now, so she will probably slide into the barred owl spot. When I get the okay, I will post pictures of her. She is a big girl, and from what I hear has a very sweet disposition.
A video I took while sitting in the mew hallway with Lorelei today...This was before I found out it was a mink...still thought it was a weasel:
11 comments:
Well, I'm glad you caught your culprit, and although it in no way makes up for the loss of Elvis, how cool was it to see a live mink? And who would have imagined that the nasty, polluted ole Mill Creek could even be a suitable habitat for minks?
Just to stick up for the Mustelid family for a minute, everybody's gotta eat, and if you find easy prey in a confined bird, it is only natural for the mink to kill the owl. If the tables had been turned and a wild barred owl caught and ate the mink, would that have been any different?
I know, you and Liam are saying "I hate Nature!" but truly, it is all a part of the circle of life. Labels like "good" and "bad" don't really apply in this drama of the natural world.
Doesn't help, I know, and I do sympathize with you, I really, really do. I hope the mink was gently relocated and that you are able to weasel-proof the rest of the mews.
Best of luck,
~Kathi
I am soo happy that you guys were able to capture this thing! Weasel or Mink, Yeah its captured!
My deepest condolences on the loss of dear Elvis. He did so much good for owldom, and lived beyond his allotment thanks to RAPTOR. That is a beautiful mink.
Don't give that cretin who flipped you off any more real estate in your head. He doesn't deserve it. Hang in there. There are way more good people in the world than bad. I think. And I know how it feels to be the victim of a random act of idiocy. If not you, then someone else. Nothing personal. Keep holding your flag up. I have way worse bumper stickers than you do!
Lorelei made your day. :o)
You must feel better now - at least knowing who the killer is and have a plan to protect ISIS and the others.
Gosh, Susan, your posts have worn me out in the last 30 minutes. You have more happen in a day than I have happen in a month.
Rest well, nature lover.
Geez Susan, that must be some french toast recipe you use!
Wow - I've never seen a mink before. Sorry that you lost Elvis.
EEE. I'm glad you caught the varmint. I love mink and weasels out there, away from our yard. Not that we have anything they would even want to eat at the moment, but you know what I mean.
Susan,
I think you should gently relocate the mangy mink that offed Elvis to a hat factory.
You'll look lovely in your new mink hat this winter.
Swami
Glad you guys captured the mink, Susan.
I love hearing you and Lorelei!! What a great video!
Lorelei is so adorable! Once again, I'm so sorry about Elvis. Knowing you and your strong spirit, you'll learn to continue life the way you would if he was still here. (And I know this is super corny, but just because he won't always be here, he'll always be in your heart!) :)
By the way, I love your new header much more than the green one. It shines!
Did I comment on that before? I don't remember.
From Fried Brain Mary
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