Letter: Mink set free

Sir: The defiantly damaging act of releasing mink into an environment where they wreak havoc is not the first incident of this type. The reasoning of those responsible seems to be that "oppressed" animals (mink) have rights prior to those of wild animals, justifying the jeopardy of a delicate ecosystem. No matter that the act of liberation becomes an instant act of oppression to all those rare animal species, such otters, water voles and barn owls, already at risk.

The activists concerned must have known the consequences, but sentimentality, self-obsession and a tunnel vision which concentrates on the actions of people as oppressors convinced them to press ahead anyway. This is not animal liberation; rather some very human political values have been projected on to a vulnerable animal population.

STEVEN RHODES

London SW8