The Department of Natural Resources is assuring the public that mink released from a Harcourt mink farm overnight pose no threat to public health or safety.

Clarenville RCMP are conducting a criminal investigation into an incident overnight in which approximately 5,000 mink were released into the wild. Approximately half of the mink have now been returned to the farm.

The department is asking residents of the local area to avoid confronting any mink they encounter and to report any sightings of the animals to their regional conservation office at 709.466.7640.

Some of the released mink had previously tested positive for Aleutian Disease, which poses no threat to human health.

Investigators from the RCMP Clarenville detachment and conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources are now at the site.

"We are working closely with the RCMP, the farm owners and the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association to resolve this situation," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources.

Merv Wiseman is the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association. "Our members are co-operating and working with the department and the RCMP to return these animals to the farm and ensure that farms in the province are monitored around the clock," he said.

For information on the investigation, members of the media should contact the RCMP. For all other questions on the issue, contact the Department of Natural Resources.

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2007 09 15                                                     5:35 p.m.