Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2018 number 6

The European mink ( Mustela lutreola ) is one of the most endangered mammals in Europe and has the status CR (Critically Endangered). In Russia the European mink disappeared from most of its former range too and its population numbers are extremely small. In the near future its reintroduction into former habitats using captive-raised animals will be needed. The exploratory behavior of captive-raised European minks was studied. Research was conducted in the nursery of the European mink in the Ilmen Nature Reserve. Thirty captive-raised European minks of different ages from 4.5 months up to 7 years (17 females and 13 males) participated in the experiments. It is shown that among the European minks which during several generations lived in cages or enclosures a well expressed dispersion on exploratory behavior has remained. Minks have kept ability to a fast exploration of the unfamiliar area and search of shelters. There were no differences between males and females in the value of the covered distance in the test. Age did not affect the activity of mink in their exploration of the territory and finding shelters. Differences in activity and division into groups according to the number of crossed squares within the sexes were due to personality of the minks. Individual features of behavior prevailed over group characteristics (sex, age). Despite continuous contacts with the staff, the majority of minks had no adaptation to people.