Hundreds of minks on the loose in Pennsylvania after massive fur farm release
Video shows minks in the wild as Pennsylvania State Police investigate ‘criminal mischief’
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}At least hundreds of minks are on the loose in Pennsylvania after "unknown actor(s)" cut holes in a fence surrounding a farm north of Harrisburg, state police say.
The Stonington Patrol Unit says it was called to a property in Rockefeller Township on Sunday for "criminal mischief," and now "numerous state agencies and farm staff are currently working on recovering the mink that escaped the fence."
A police report stated that the victim told investigators that holes were cut in the fence of his mink farm overnight, and as a result, "approximately 6,000-8,000" minks were released from their pens.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The nearby Sunbury Animal Hospital later said the number is believed to be in the hundreds.
MINKS FREED FROM PENNSYLVANIA FUR FARM IN DARING ACT OF VANDALISM
A mink is seen running along a road in Pennsylvania after hundreds escaped from a fur farm in Rockefeller Township. (Cassie Marks/@cassiesfosterkitties/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)
"We are working in cooperation with the Game Commission to best clear our community of the mink and have received updated information," it said in a Facebook post. "It is believed there are several hundred mink loose, not the thousands as reported."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}State Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver said that she and fellow Republican state Rep. Michael Stender have set up a phone line for locals in Northumberland County to report a loose mink on their property.
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Two minks are seen inspecting a trap in Pennsylvania following the weekend escape. (Cassie Marks/@cassiesfosterkitties/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)
"Live minks can be dangerous and may bite residents," her office said in a statement. "Authorities are advising residents not to approach or attempt to catch minks without a safe and proper trap."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the property the minks were released from – the Richard Stahl Fur Farm – is one of the state’s last remaining mink pelt producers.
A video captured in Northumberland County shows one of the minks running along the center yellow line of a road.
The minks ultimately did not fall for the trap, which became triggered when one of the animals tried to get to the bait without going into the cage. (Cassie Marks/@cassiesfosterkitties/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another part of the video shows two minks congregating near a trap.
The motives of those potentially involved in freeing the minks are currently unknown.