‘Mystery creature’ in River Arun identified as a mink

A mystery creature spotted in the River Arun has been identified as an American mink.
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The mink was seen in a pond off the river at Pulborough and a photo posted on social media led to public speculation about what it was.

But Pulborough resident Roger Smith, who photographed the otter-like creature in water near his home, said: “The mink looks like an otter but it’s not as big, it’s about half the sixe and has a rather pointed nose.”

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He said he had previously seen mink in the area last winter but this was the first he had seen this year.

Mink spotted in a pond off the River Arun at Pulborough.  Photo: Roger SmithMink spotted in a pond off the River Arun at Pulborough.  Photo: Roger Smith
Mink spotted in a pond off the River Arun at Pulborough. Photo: Roger Smith

“I was just looking out of the window and happened to see it,” he said. “It rolled up quite close to the house. After a bit of searching around in the bushes it sailed off again.”

Roger’s wife Anne said the mink had appeared fairly frequently in the past. “This time it was sitting on a bit of wood that had become stuck in the pond, along with a few tree trunks and lots of old reeds.

“I’m pretty sure it was responsible for the disappearance of so many ducklings last year.”

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Sussex Wildlife Trust says that American mink - Neovison vison - is a semi aquatic species of mustelid which is native to North America.

It first became established in the UK in the 1950s when animals escaped or were released from fur farms.

“American mink have adapted well to the UK and are common and widespread throughout Sussex,” says the trust.

“They are one of the few animals which can follow native wetland species such as the kingfisher and the water vole into their burrows and nests, and in tandem with habitat destruction they have often had a devastating impact on populations of these species.”