Despite the late start on the ice due to warm weather, he managed to have a successful outing: pikes weighing up to a kilogram were actively caught on live bait. "As if sensing our luck, an American mink approached us. These predators are increasingly becoming witnesses to winter fishing, and minks usually try to steal the caught fish," Aibek shared about his observations.
Ecologist Alexander Sosnovsky noted that the American mink is an introduced species in Kyrgyzstan. This species is now widespread in many water bodies, including Lake Issyk-Kul.
According to him, the acclimatization of the American mink in Kyrgyzstan occurred in the 1960s. This predator is characterized by its versatility: it can feed on anything it can catch, swims and dives well, and also builds its burrows. The body length of a mink can reach 45 cm, and its weight can be up to 2 kg. By feeding on fish, frogs, and rodents, the American mink is beginning to displace local predator species.
