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HARCOURT, Nfld.–Police officers, wildlife officials and veterinarians continued to catch thousands of mink in the Newfoundland community of Harcourt yesterday, as the province offered a reward for licensed trappers who capture the escaped animals.
Between 5,000 and 6,000 animals escaped early Saturday morning after someone broke the gate of a barn on the mink farm and opened all of the cages inside.
About 1,000 animals were still on the loose early yesterday. Some had been hit by cars and others had fought with cats in the area or killed animals such as backyard birds.
The RCMP are trying to determine who set the mink free.
The Natural Resources Department said it would pay $50 per animal to licensed trappers who turn in mink.
The department said some of the mink had tested positive for aleutian disease, but the animals aren't believed to pose any risk to humans.
Earlier this year, the province placed restrictions on the mink industry after reports of aleutian disease, a virus that can kill the animals or prevent them from reproducing, at several farms.
Canadian Press
