Ausgenerzt - a report about the killing of mink in Denmark (World 2021, by Lea Ernst) - Swiss Press Award
SonntagsBlick Magazin Print
Lea Ernst
They were going to lose their lives anyway. But not all of them. For the Kristensen family, who have been breeding minks in Jutland for thirty years, the best specimens are the family’s most valuable asset, their financial security and their life’s work. In November the mandate issued by the Danish government suddenly landed on them: since the coronavirus had spread to the minks, mutated, and then jumped back into the human population, the decision was made to immediately destroy all 17 million farmed mink. This signifies the end for the industry and an unexpected victory for animal rights activists. The Kristensens have only one week until they have to find themselves a new future: The farm’s 19 000 mink are gassed with carbon dioxide (210) and cleaned with sawdust (202). The carcasses are put into storage (200) – the manufacturers cannot keep up with the demand for pelts.
