These pictures from mink farms were taken during the summer and autumn of 2018 at four Finnish fur farms.

Two of the farms were in Närpiö, one in Korsnäsissä and one in Alajärvi. Besides these mink farms, the investigators also visited two fox and raccoon dog farms. One mink farm was visited three times, in June, August and October.

Some of the farms have been named as “top quality” farms by the fur farmer’s association and they have won prizes and recognition from the industry. The conditions for animals on these farms were the same as on any other farm. The images prove that problems like cannibalism and stereotypical behaviour are present even on the “best” and highest ranking fur farms.

Cannibalism at mink farms is most common during the breeding season in early spring, when the young are 1–2 months old. According to the fur farmers association, up to 5 % of the young mink die due to cannibalism. These investigations took place in late summer and autumn, which means that it was not the “cannibalism season”.