September 5, 2012

'Alien mammal' invasion of Europe




Alien mammals, including mink, wild boar, racoons, shrews and beavers, have invaded Europe to a greater extent than we thought.

A new study has found that 71 mammal species have invaded Europe since Neolithic times, while another 30 species have successfully extended their ranges across the continent.

At least 58 of these species directly harm either human health or the environment, according to the report published in the journal Integrative Zoology.