The European mink is a small, slender carnivore that lives both on land and in water. You can recognise it by the white patch on its muzzle and lips. It is an excellent swimmer and lives along slow-flowing rivers, in marshes and in riverside forests. It lives alone and defends its territory, hunting fish, frogs, voles and crayfish. It was once found from Spain to western Siberia, but it has almost disappeared from all of Europe: its population has crashed by more than 88% since the end of the 20th century. Its main threat is competition with the American mink, an invasive species brought over by fur farms. In France, a National Action Plan for 2021-2031 coordinates its protection, with the aim of releasing 100 mink by 2031.