10/12/2026
Here’s a release story our staff has been looking forward to sharing since the spring!
In April, our friends at another rehab center transferred a litter of neonatal American minks to us — not because this species was outside their range of experience, but because of the intense time commitment these babies would require. The request was understandable, and while our staff was willing to take them on, we were in for quite the journey!
Arriving at only a week old, these babies were fragile, nearly hairless, and VERY needy! Minks, like other members of the weasel family, have a very high metabolic rate. Nearly all the baby animals in our care require multiple feedings throughout the day and night, but these mink would certainly put us to the test. For the first few weeks, they needed to be carefully syringe-fed every 1–1.5 hours, around the clock. Missing a feeding wasn’t an option, so our staff took “mink shifts,” giving everyone a chance to rest and recharge — especially since, in late April and early May, these mink were far from the only babies relying on us.
As the weeks passed, the babies matured and thrived! Watching such young animals grow — opening their eyes, eating solid food for the first time, and multiplying in size — is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. These once fragile babies, each about the size of a finger, grew into the strong, fierce carnivores that nature intended them to be.
Once the siblings proved their ability to swim, dive, and hunt, it was finally time for their long-awaited release — the moment we had all been working toward for five months. After locating a remote, lush riparian habitat, the staff who had dedicated so much time and care to rehabilitating these three babies watched as the now juvenile minks darted out of their carriers and toward their freedom.
Whether the rehabilitation process is long and time-consuming or short and straightforward, it’s our passion. It’s our mission.
Scroll through the photos to watch these babies grow up!
