TIMES STAFF REPORT

EDEN VALLEY — Tens of thousands of domestic mink were released from Lang Farms early Monday morning, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

The farm raises mink for pelts and lost an estimated $750,000 in what police referred to as burglary and vandalism.

Lang Farms is located a couple miles northwest of Eden Valley.

Overnight a person or group of people dismantled the exterior fence at the farm and released all the mink from their cages, according to the Sheriff's Office. That's an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 mink.

The mink will not survive in the wild, because they are domesticated. Those that do live could have a negative impact on the native wildlife, according to the statement. Mink are predators, and those released were done so near a wildlife management area and wilderness preservation area.

"If residents see any mink loose in the area, they are asked not to approach them because they may bite," according to the Sheriff's statement. "Lang Farms LLC asked that residents call them so that they may be recaptured by experienced mink handlers."

If you spot a mink, call the farm: 320-453-4750.

If you have information on the crime, call the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office: 320-251-4240.