American mink are running riot along the banks of Britain’s waterways, killing hundreds of native species each year, say environmentalists.
The mink, capable of wiping out 500 animals each year, is an invasive species which escaped from fur farms in the 1950s, and the race is on to eradicate them in Surrey, with the help of local anglers.
In an effort to protect animals like water voles, swans and herons, traps to catch the mink have been set along a stretch of the River Mole managed by the Dorking & District Angling Society.
Rob Martin, from the Waterlife Recovery Trust, said catching and simply relocating the mink is unfortunately not an option, so they must be euthanised.