Mink - valuable fur

Mink were introduced into the UK in the 1950s, when they were bred for their fur.

Their sleek, lustrous coat was - and still is in some parts of the world - sought after for garments such as fur coats and stoles.

However, a number of mink escaped from the farms and bred in the wild, with some finding their way to Scotland.

Mink's natural colour is dark brown. A native of North America, it can be found in Canada and most parts of the United States, especially in Alaska.

Fur farms still exist in many countries, including the United States, but were banned in Britain about a decade ago.

Some mink are also kept as pets.